FLUSHING, N.Y. – The Queens College women's basketball team heads to Philadelphia, PA to open the 2024-25 season as they compete in the seventh annual ECCxCACC Conference Challenge with the hosting right going to CACC member Griffins of Chestnut Hill College this season.
In 2023-2024, the Knights went 8-19 overall and a 4-12 in East Coast Conference play, while sophomore forward
Nkiru Awaka (Hyde Park, N.Y.) was one of two Knights to earn All-ECC honors with Awaka earning Rookie of the Year for her stellar rookie campaign.
2024-2025 Preseason Poll
In the ECC preseason poll, head coach
Bet Naumovski and her squad have been tabbed to finish seventh earning 29 points, just a point shy of the sixth spot.
The Mercy University Mavericks have been tabbed to finish first earning 76 points and five first place votes, while three-time defending champions Daemen University Wildcats earned 71 points with three first place first for the second spot.
The Firebirds of the University of the District of Columbia have been slated to finish third earning 60 points, while Spatans of St. Thomas Aquinas College earn 52 points to take the fourth spot.
College of Staten Island Dolphins earned 43 points for the fifth spot and the Lions of Molloy University earned 30 points and the final spot to make the six-team ECC postseason tournament.
The Saints of D'Youville University earned 27 points for eighth place and the Redhawks of Roberts Wesleyan University placed ninth with 17 points.
Queens College Knights Preview
- Awaka will lead the 24-25 squad coming off a stellar rookie year where she earned Rookie of the Year and All-ECC honors.
- The Hyde Park forward started in all 27 games averaging 12.3 PPG, 8.8 RPG, and 1.7 SPG as she recorded 332 points, 237 rebounds, 46 steals, and 16 blocks.
- She would tally seven double-doubles on the year with a career-best 29 points (vs. Wilmington), 19 rebounds (vs. STAC), three blocks (vs. Caldwell), & four steals (vs. Felician).
- Sophomore guard Jalea Abrams (Elmira, N.Y.) averaged 13.0 PPG, 3.8 RPG, and 2.2 APG as she recorded a career-high 32 points over Molloy, three games with seven rebounds, six assists against Wilmington, and four games with three steals.
- Newcomer junior forward Andie Gannon (Amsterdam, N.Y.) will look to provide the extra scoring coming off a stellar year at Fulton Montgomery Community College where she earned All-American honors, Player of the Year, and Region Player of the Year honors.
Opponents Outlook
The 24-25 slate begins in Philadelphia at host site Chestnut Hill College Griffins beginning on Saturday, Nov. 9 against the Rams of Thomas Jefferson University before the first week of play against the host Griffins on Sunday, Nov. 10.
Thomas Jefferson University
Overall History W-L: 7-11
Last Win: 63-58 (11/9/19)
Last Loss: 53-67 (11/11/23)
- Last year the Rams compiled an overall record of 32-2, won the CACC Championship, and advanced to the East Regional Championship game.
- Saturday's meeting will be the 19th overall against the Rams with the Knights trailing the All-Time series to the record of 7-11.
- Queens is in search of their first victory over Jefferson since the 19-20 season when the Knights earned a 63-58 on November 9, 2019.
Chestnut Hill College
Overall History W-L: 1-5
Last Win: 87-77 (11/10/18)
Last Loss: 46-63 (11/12/23)
- Last year the Griffins went 20-9 overall and advanced to the CACC Championship game.
- Sunday's meeting will be the seventh overall meeting against the Griffins with the Knights trailing the All-Time series to the record of 1-5.
- Queens is in search of their first victory over the Griffins since the 18-19 season when the Knights earned an 87-77 victory on November 10, 2018, in Rockville Centre.
Week Two Outlook
Continuing non-conference play the Knights will use the week to prepare for their lone game of the week on Saturday, Nov. 16 as they welcome the Yellow Jackets of American International College to town. Tip-off is 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 WBB (QCKNIGHTS_WBB), and Instagram (qcknightsny), women's basketball (qcknightswbb).
