ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. – Led by senior
Sunnie Diamond (Atlanta, GA) near triple-double with a game-high 23 points, while the trio of junior
Shamar Chester (Queens, N.Y.), and
Manny Umoffia (Benin City, Nigeria) and sophomore
Eric Tynes (Springfield, MA.) registered in double-figures for the second straight game as the Queens College men's basketball team rallied back to defeat the Lions of Molloy University inside Quealy Gymnasium to the final score of 84-75 in East Coast Conference play Wednesday evening.
With the win, Queens improved their record to 8-7 overall and 3-2 in ECC play. Wednesday's win over the Lions ends a three-game losing streak as Queens earned their first win since the 2021-2022 season and the first victory inside Quealy Gymnasium since the 2019-2020 season.
Match Recap
The Lions scored on the first possession of the game before the Knights answered back with five straight points led by junior
Zyeir Lawrence (Oneonta, N.Y.) and Chester.
Both sides would trade buckets over the next four minutes, but with the Knights leading 13-12 at the 14:13 mark, Queens would tally three shots from deep as they opened a 9-3 run to take a 22-15 lead with 12:11 left in the first half.
But the Lions would continue to find timely buckets as they stayed within striking distance of the Knights.
After two made free throws cut the Knights' lead down to two, 30-28 with 7:40 to go until halftime, junior
Jayden Seraphin (Lakeview, N.Y.) and Umoffia combined for an 8-0 run as Queens took a 10-point lead of 38-28 with 5:04 left in the half.
However, Molloy would go on a 7-0 run as they cut the Knights' advantage down to three, 38-35, before a layup with three seconds left in the first half from Chester stopped the scoring drought for Queens as the visitors took a 40-35 lead into the locker rooms.
Molloy opened the second half on a 4-0 run to cut Queens' advantage down to one, 40-39 before Diamond and senior
Malik Bentinck (Queens, N.Y.) used a 10-0 run from the 18:31 mark to the 17:19 mark to take an 11 point lead of 50-39.
The Lions would start to slowly cut into the Knights' advantage as Queens got cold from the field. With Queens leading 60-52 with 11:39 to go, Molloy would go on a 16-2 run from the 11:11 mark to the 6:55 mark as they took a 68-62 lead.
Two made free throws from Diamond at the 6:32 mark would stop the scoring drought for Queens as the Knights started to put together a comeback rally.
With the game clock stopped on several Queens possessions, the Knights would start to cut into their deficit at the charity stripe.
After a layup from the Lions on back-to-back possessions saw them extend their lead, 72-69, Diamond continued to attack the basket and would knock down four straight free throws as Queens reclaimed the lead for good with a 73-72 lead at the 4:37 mark.
With the momentum starting to shift, the Knights' defense would hold the Lions to one made field goal over the final 4:11 minutes of play, while the duo of Diamond and Umoffia ended the game on an 11-3 run to help the Knights earn an 84-75 ECC victory Wednesday evening.
By the Numbers
- Diamond led the way with a near triple-double with a game-high 23 points (6-of-17 FG, 3-of-7 3PT, 8-of-8 FT) to go with nine rebounds, seven assists, three steals and one block.
- Chester tallied 13 points (5-of-13 FG, 3-of-5 3PT) with nine rebounds (Career-High), six assists and one block.
- For the second straight game, Umoffia tallied in double-digits with 13 points (4-of-5 FG, 5-of-6 FT) to go with five rebounds and a career-high three blocks.
- While Tynes matched a season-best effort of 12 points (4-of-5 3PT).
- Bentinck and Seraphin combined for 16 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, one block, and two steals on the evening.
- As a team, the Knights shot 40.3% going 27-of-67 from the field, while the Lions were held to 39.0% on 30-of-77 shooting.
- Molloy held a 51-44 rebounds margin, while Queens held a slim 18-15 advantage on second chance points.
- Queens shot 71.4% at the charity stripe going 20-of-28 at the line.
Next Game
The Knights open a two-game non-conference stand beginning on Saturday (Jan. 13) afternoon as the Lightning of Goldey-Beacom College visit Flushing. Tip-off set for 1:00 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 MBB (@QCKnights_MBB) and Instagram (qcknightsny), men's basketball (qcmensbball).
