RUTHERFORD, N.J. – It would be a second half comeback as sophomore
Brianna Davis (Bronx, N.Y.) and freshman
Jalea Abrams (Elmira, N.Y.) led the charge by combing for 35 points as the Queens College women's basketball team defeated the Golden Falcons of Felician University inside the Joal & Joseph Job Gymnasium Saturday afternoon on Day one of the Felician Holiday Classic.
Game Recap
It was a back-and-forth affair to start the first quarter as the Knights stayed within distance of the Golden Falcons, but it would be the home side who would end the stanza on an 8-2 run as they took a 17-10 lead into the second quarter.
Queens began the second quarter on a 5-3 run to get within five, 20-15 with 7:56 to go. As Felician extended their lead to nine, 24-15, the Knights would continue to keep pace as they kept their deficit in single digits.
Trailing 28-19 with 2:07 to go until halftime, the Knights ended the quarter on a 5-1 run to cut their deficit down to 29-24 heading into the locker rooms. Free throw shooting of 72.7% as Queens went 8-of-11 from the line would help the visitors stay close heading into the second half of play.
As Davis cut the deficit down to three, 29-26 to open the third quarter of play, the home side would extend their lead back to six, 32-26 with 6:52 to go.
Led by Abrams' six points Queens would go on a 10-4 run to tie the game at 36-36 with 2:25 left in the third quarter. As two made free throws saw Felician retake a slim lead of 38-36 but rookie
Nkiru Awaka (Hyde Park, N.Y.) would knock down two free throws as the Knights tied the game at 38-38 heading to the final 10 minutes of play.
In the third quarter of play, Queens would outscore Felician 14-9 as they held their opponent to 27.27% shooting with only three made field goals.
Taking their momentum into the fourth quarter, a made three-pointer from Abrams would give the Knights a 41-38 lead for the first time since the start of play, and a lead they would not surrender.
The Golden Falcons would tie the game at 42-42 with 6:17 left before Davis recorded six straight points in a 10-1 run from 5:59 to 2:37 as the Knights took their largest lead of the game with a 52-43 advantage.
Felician would attempt to cut into Queens lead, however, strong free throw shooting in the final minutes of the game would help the Knights hold off the rally to earn a 59-50 victory.
With their victory over Felician, the Knights ended a four-game losing streak against their regional foe to earn the first win since the 2008-09 season.
By the Numbers
- Davis recorded a team-high 21 points (4-12 FG, 13-14 FT) to go with four rebounds, two steals and one block.
- Abrams recorded 14 points (4-11 FG, 2-5 3PT, 4-5 FT), four rebounds, and two steals.
- Sophomore center Gianna Henriques (Bronx, N.Y.) tallied eight points (3-8 FG) with a season-high 12 points and two blocks.
- Awaka tallied seven points (2-4 FG, 3-6 FT) with five rebounds and a career-best four steals.
- As a team, the Knights shot 35.7% as they went 15-42 from the field, while the Golden Falcons were held to 33.3% going 18-54 from the field.
- The Knights outscored the home side 35-21 in the second half.
- Queens recorded a season-high 27 made free throws shooting 75.0%
Next Game
The Knights conclude the Felician Holiday Classic in Rutherford, N.J. on Sunday (Nov. 26) afternoon as they match up against the Chargers of Dominican University of New York. Tip-off is set for 2:00 p.m.
For the latest news on Queens College Athletics, follow the Knights at queensknights.com or via social media on Facebook (Queens College Athletics), X (Formerly Twitter) (@QCKnights), Queens College WBB (QCKNIGHTS_WBB), and Instagram (qcknightsny), women's basketball (qcknightswbb).
