STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Continuing East Coast Conference play, rookie
Nkiru Awaka (Hyde Park, N.Y.) and sophomore
Brianna Davis (Bronx, N.Y.) combined for 26 points as the Queens College women's basketball team matched up against the Dolphins of College of Staten Island Saturday afternoon inside The Tank.
Game Recap
It would be a slow start to the game for both sides before sophomore
Gianna Henriques (Bronx, N.Y.) recorded the first bucket of the first quarter at the 6:41 mark.
With the score tied at 4-4, Queens would end the first quarter on an 11-2 run from the 4:30 mark with Awaka leading the way with seven points as the Knights took a 15-6 lead into the second quarter.
The Knights' defense would hold the Dolphins to 20.0% shooting with only two made field goals while holding an 18-3 rebounding margin with 11 offensive boards to outscore the Dolphins 10-2 on second-chance buckets.
Keeping the momentum going into the second quarter, the Hyde Park native Awaka would keep the scoring going with a 5-0 run as the Knights took a 12-point lead of 20-8 with 8:45 left until halftime.
After a jumper from junior
Lateisha Willis (Nottingham, England) gave Queens a 22-8 lead with 6:42 go in the stanza, the Dolphins' offense would come alive as they ended the quarter on a 14-2 run to cut the Knights advantage down to two, 24-22 heading into the locker rooms at halftime.
Both sides would trade buckets in the opening minutes of the third quarter as Awaka recorded her third career double-double and first in ECC play. However, with the score tied at 26-26, the Dolphins would go on a 5-0 run to take a 31-26 forcing a Queens timeout.
As the Dolphins extended their lead to eight points, rookie
Jalea Abrams (Elmira, N.Y.) would break the scoring drought for the Knights to get within six, 34-28 just before the under-five minute media timeout.
Out of the timeout, Queens would get within four, 34-30 before a 7-2 run from the Dolphins saw the home side take a 41-32 lead with 2:02 left in the third quarter.
The Knights would hold CSI scoreless over the final 1:57 of the third quarter as they cut their deficit down to six, 41-35 heading into the fourth quarter.
But it would be a slow start to the fourth quarter as the Dolphins used a 13-2 run from the 9:35 mark to the 5:06 mark to defeat the Knights in ECC play Saturday afternoon.
By the Numbers
- Awaka recorded her third career double-double and first in ECC play with a team-high 16 points (6-12 FG), 12 rebounds, and three steals.
- Davis recorded 10 points, four rebounds and two assists.
- Henriques tallied six points, and 12 rebounds to go with two blocks.
- Wills tallied four points, a career-best 11 rebounds, and three steals on the afternoon.
- As a team, the Knights were held to 28.1% as they went 16-57 from the field, while the Dolphins shot 40.7% going 22-54 from the field.
- Queens outrebounded CSI 45-21 as they held a 14-2 advantage on second-chance points.
Next Game
The Knights open a three-game homestand beginning on Friday (Dec. 8) evening as they welcome the Saints of D'Youville University to town. Tip-off set for 5:30 p.m.
Follow the Knights
All home games will be live-streamed on the
ECC Sports Network and fans can follow along on
live stats as well.
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).
