GARDEN CITY, N.Y. – The 2024-2025 Queens College men's basketball team season officially got underway Friday evening as the Knights competed in the East Coast Conference x NE10 Conference Challenge by matching up against the Setters of Pace University inside the Center for Recreation and Sport at host site Adelphi University.
Two Knights in newcomers senior guard
Nasan Ayala (LeFrak City, N.Y.) and junior guard
Jade Tse (Queens, N.Y.) paced the Knights' offense as they combined for 29 points but Queens would drop their season opener to the score of 76-59 Friday evening.
GAME RECAP
Ayala and Tse opened the scoring as the duo knocked down two three-pointers to give Queens a 6-2 lead but the Setters would respond with a 9-0 run as they took an 11-6 lead forcing a Queens timeout at the 14:17 mark.
But the Setters out of the timeout would extend their run to take a 17-7 lead before senior guard
Shamar Chester (Queens, N.Y.) connected with rookie guard
Tyler Michel (Cambria Heights, N.Y.) as the Knights ended their field goal drought before a layup from junior forward
Jaden Pena (Brooklyn, N.Y.) got the Knights back within five, 17-12 with 10:09 left until halftime.
However, the Setters would end the final 9:04 of the first half on a 19-11 run as they took a lead of 13, 36-22 into the locker rooms.
In the second half the Knights would trade points with the Setters as they looked to keep their deficit close, but with Pace shooting 45% from the field and 74% from the charity stripe, it would be the Setters who would earn the victory to the final score of 76-59 Friday evening.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Ayala led the Knights' offense with a team-high 15 points (4-of-7 FG | 2-of-2 3PT| 5-of-9 FT) to go with one rebound, one block, and one steal.
- Tse notched 14 points (5-of-14 FG | 2-of-6 3PT | 2-of-2 FT) to go with three assists, one rebound and one steal.
- Off the bench, Chester notched nine points, three rebounds, and one assist.
- Pena recorded five points, a team-high six rebounds (2-4 ORB-DRB) and one steal.
- As a team Queens shot 18-of-55 from the field (32.7%), 5-of-17 from distance (29.4%), and 18-of-25 at the free line (72.0 %).
NEXT GAME
The first weekend of play concludes on Saturday, Nov. 9 as Queens matches up against the host Adelphi inside the Center for Recreation and Sport. 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 MBB (@QCKnights_MBB) and Instagram (qcknightsny), men's basketball (qcmensbball).
