FLUSHING, N.Y. – The Queens College men's basketball team fell on the road last week to Mercy and St. Thomas Aquinas College but postseason berth is still alive.
With two crucial East Coast Conference left on the docket, the Knights open the week in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday (Feb. 28) evening against the Firebirds of the University of the District of Columbia before concluding the regular season on Saturday (Mar. 2) afternoon against the Dolphins of College of Staten Island at home.
Queens College Knights Preview
- The Knights went 0-2 falling short against Mercy and STAC leaving a postseason spot on the edge.
- Senior guard Sunnie Diamond (Atlanta, GA) leads the offense averaging 17.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game with three double-doubles.
- Diamond recorded his second double-double of the year with a season-high 33 points, and 11 rebounds to go with five assists in the victory over Daemen Sunday afternoon.
- Against Cheyney (Nov. 15) Diamond recorded his first double-double of the year with 23 points and 10 rebounds.
- On Monday (Feb.26) Diamond earned his fourth Honor Roll spot of the year to go with one Player of the Week honors.
- Player of the Week: Jan. 19
- Honor Roll: Nov. 13 | Dec. 11 | Jan. 2 | Feb. 26
- On Tuesday (Jan. 19) Diamond was named to the MBWA Honorable Mention list for the first time.
- Senior forward Malik Bentinck (Queens, N.Y.) is averaging 12.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game with ten double-doubles on the year.
- In the victory over Goldey-Beacom (Jan. 13) Bentinck recorded a career-high 20 points and a career-high 16 rebounds in the win over Roberts Wesleyan (Jan. 19).
- On Tuesday (Dec.12) the senior earned MBWA Honorable Mention for his first regional honors of the year.
- On Monday (Jan.29) Bentinck earned his fifth Honor Roll spot and has earned two Defensive Player of the Week nods.
- Defensive Player of the Week: Dec. 11 | Jan. 19
- Honor Roll: Nov. 20 | Dec. 4 | Jan. 8 | Jan. 22 | Jan. 29
- Junior Shamar Chester (Queens, N.Y.) is averaging 14.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game.
- Chester has recorded several career-highs this year
- Points - 32 points against Molloy (2.7)
- Rebounds – 9 (2x) against Molloy (1.10) & Goldey-Beacom (1.13)
- Assists – 8 against Roberts Wesleyan (1.19)
- On Monday (Feb. 12) Chester earned his second consecutive spot on the ECC Weekly report sheet as the junior was awarded his second Honor Roll spot of the year.
- Player of the Week: Feb. 5
- Honor Roll: Jan. 16 | Feb. 12
- On Tuesday (Feb. 13), Chester earned his second straight MBWA Honorable Mention spot to join Bentinck as the two Knights to earn multiple spots this year.
District of Columbia Firebirds Preview
Series Record: 14-10
Current Steak: W1
Last Win: November 29, 2023
(Home 62-56)
Last Loss: February 11, 2023
(Home 73-81)
- UDC enters the week with an overall record of 8-15 and 6-8 in ECC play and are coming off a loss to Roberts Wesleyan on Saturday afternoon.
- It will be the 25th meeting overall and the second of the year with Queens leading the series 14-10 All-Time.
- The Knights are looking to complete the series sweep having earned a 62-56 victory in Flushing on November 29, 2023 and earn their first win against the Firebirds on the road since January 28, 2017 when they earned a 91-85 victory.
- Eric Morgan Jr. leads the offense averaging 15.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game.
- Hartnel Haye is averaging 12.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game.
College of Staten Island Dolphins Preview
Series Record: 2-3
Current Steak: L2
Last Win: January 11, 2023
(Home 84-72)
Last Loss: December 2, 2023
(Away 67-73)
- The Dolphins enter the week with an overall record of 17-9 and 11-3 in ECC play and will host Molloy on Wednesday evening before traveling to Flushing on Saturday afternoon.
- It will be the sixth meeting between both sides with the Knights trailing the series 2-3 All-Time.
- Last season it was a series split as both teams defended home court.
- Messiah Mallory leads the offense averaging 14.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game.
- While Bryce Waterman is averaging 14.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game.
Follow the Knights for Home Games
All home games will be live-streamed on the
ECC Sports Network and fans can follow along on
live stats as well.
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).
