FLUSHING, N.Y. – Despite a game-high 22 points from sophomore
Sunnie Diamond (Hiram, GA), the Queens College men's basketball team were unable to complete their comeback rally to the visiting Firebirds of University of the District of Columbia Saturday afternoon inside Fitzgerald Gymnasium in East Coast Conference action.
Game Recap
Led by sophomore
Tyron Wright (Camby, IN) and senior
Tyler Carey (Bay Shore, N.Y.), the Knights jumped out to a 7-3 lead by the 17:37 mark before the Firebirds went on an 8-0 run to take an 11-7 lead with 15:05 left in the first half.
A three-pointer by Diamond would stop a four-minute scoreless drought for the Knights as they cut the deficit down to 11-10 before a second-chance bucket by Wright gave the home side a 12-11 lead with 14:14 left.
The Firebirds would tally another 6-0 run from the 13:58 mark to the 12:04 mark as they took a 17-12 lead before the Knights mounted a comeback.
Trailing 17-12, a jumper by sophomore
Shamar Chester (Queens, N.Y.) at the 11:26 mark helped Queens start a 22-7 run with Diamond recording eight points as the Knights led 34-24 with 4:26 left until halftime.
But the Firebird would end the first half on a 16-7 run as a double-digit Knights' lead cut down to one, 41-40 heading into the locker rooms at halftime.
The visitors continued their run to open the second half with two quick buckets as they took a 45-41 lead before Queens answered back to tie the game at 45-45 with 17:18 left in the game.
UDC would use a 14-2 run from 16:17 to 10:51 to reclaim the lead as Queens committed six turnovers and went 0-5 from the field to find themselves trailing by 12, 59-47.
The Knights responded with a 13-2 run from the 10:03 mark to the 6:58 mark as they cut the deficit down to one, 61-60.
In a game of several runs which saw three score ties and seven lead changes, the Firebirds would use one final run of 14-4 to bridge the gap and lead 75-64 with 2:02 left in the game.
Trailing by 11, 75-64, Chester and Diamond tallied six points in a 6-2 run before a three-pointer by Wright brought Queens within four, 77-73 with 48 seconds left in the game.
But the visitors would ice the game at the free throw line to hold off the Knights' rally as they picked up the 81-73 victory over Queens Saturday afternoon.
By The Numbers
- Diamond tallied a game-high 22 points (7-17 FG) with eight rebounds, three steals, two assists, and one block to lead the offense.
- Wright recorded 10 points (4-8 FG, 2-5 3PT), while Carey tallied seven points (2-5 FG, 3-5 FT) to go with eight rebounds and game-high four blocks.
- As a team, Queens shot 42.2% as they went 27-64 from the field while the Firebirds went 28-62 shooting 45.2% on the day.
- Queens won the boards battle (41-38) as the Firebirds held a slim edge of 9-8 on second-chance points.
- The Knights committed 18 turnovers to the Firebirds' 15, but the visitors tallied 16-11 points off turnovers.
NEXT GAME: Head coach
Matt Collier and the Knights open a final three-game road stand beginning on Wednesday (Feb. 15) evening with a trip to Wilmington, Del., as they match up against the Wildcats of Wilmington University in non-conference action. Tip-off set for 7:00 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), Twitter (@QCKnights), Queens College MBB (@QCKnights_MBB) and Instagram (qcknightsny), men's basketball (qcmensbball).
