FLUSHING, N.Y. – Opening a three-game homestand to conclude the 2024 portion of their schedule the Queens College women's basketball team welcomed the Eagles of Post University to Fitzgerald Gymnasium.
Two Knights scored in double-figures led by sophomore guard
Jalea Abrams (Elmira, N.Y.) fourth 20+ point effort of the year with a game-high 21 points and a career-high 19 points from rookie guard
Ashley Chio (North Vancouver, Canada) as women's basketball used a 19-3 run in the first quarter to earn a wire-to-wire 60-44 victory over Post Monday evening.
With the victory, Queens improves to 5-4 overall on the year. Also, Monday's victory earned the Knights' first victory over their non-conference foe for the first time since the 65-46 victory back on November 10, 2012, ending a four-game skid.
GAME RECAP
It was all Queens in the first quarter as the duo of Abrams and Chio helped Queens start the game on a quick 10-0 run by the 5:56 mark while the defense held the Eagles to 0-of-5 from the field and forced three turnovers.
The Eagles would get on the scoreboard at the 5:40 mark to cut the scoreline down to 10-2 before the trio of Chio, Abrams, and sophomore forward
Nkiru Awaka (Hyde Park, N.Y.) combined for a 9-1 run over the final 5:23 of the first stanza with Abams recording five points as Queens took a 16-point lead of 19-3 into the second quarter.
In the first stanza, the duo of Chio and Abrams would combine for 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the field to lead the charge.
However, the second quarter would see Queens scoring slow down as they committed seven turnovers while the Eagles outscored the Knights 14-4 to cut the home side advantage down to six points, 23-17 heading into the locker rooms at halftime.
Having their double-digit lead brought down to single digits, Chio and rookie guard
Sajol Thornhill (Ashburn, VA.) began the third quarter with four straight points as Queens extended their lead back to 10 points, 27-17 by the 7:59 mark.
As the Eagles cut the lead down to eight on the next possession, a jumper from Chio at the 7:21 mark started an 11-3 for the Knights with rookie forward
Chinyere Ukaegbu (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Abrams combining for nine points as Queens extended their lead to 16 points, 38-22 by the 4:04 mark.
However, the Eagles would not go away quietly as they used a 7-2 run to end the final 2:30 of the third quarter to cut Queens' lead down to 11 points, 40-29 heading into the final 10 minutes of the game.
Looking put the game officially out of reach Abrams and Chio began the fourth quarter on a 7-0 run from the 9:22 mark to the 7:46 mark as the Knights took their largest lead of the game of 18 points, 47-29.
With the Knights shooting 50.0% from the field and holding the Eagles to 33.3% shooting in the fourth quarter Queens would earn their second straight victory to the final score of 60-44 Monday evening.
BY THE NUMBERS
- For the fourth time this year, Abrams scored 20 points or more as the Elmira native recorded a game-high 21 points with six made field goals and seven made free throws in the victory.
- It would be a career day for Chio as the rookie recorded 19 points, eight rebounds, six steals, and two assists.
- Ukaegbu recorded seven points, a career-best 12 rebounds to go with three blocks, and one steal.
- It would be an all-round effort for Awaka as the Hyde Park native tallied five points, six rebounds, three blocks, and a career-best seven steals in the victory.
- Queens converted 28 Eagles turnovers into 23 points.
NEXT GAME
The Knights continue the non-conference on Wednesday, Dec. 18 as they welcome the Cougars of Caldwell University. Tip-off is set for 6:00 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).
