FLUSHING, N.Y. – Continuing their three-game homestand, the Queens College men's basketball team welcomed nationally/regionally ranked #14/#1 Spartans of Thomas Aquinas College to Fitzgerald Gymnasium in East Coast Conference play.
Despite a game-high 26 points junior guard
Shamar Chester (Queens, N.Y.), and junior
Omar Nkonde (Harlem, N.Y.) first career double-double with a career-best 12 points and 10 rebounds, while the junior duo of
Jayden Seraphin (Lakeview, N.Y.) and
Zyeir Lawrence (Oneonta, N.Y.) recorded 12 points and 11 points respectively, the Knights were unable to complete the comeback rally as they fell to the final score of 89-76 Saturday afternoon.
With the win, Queens moved to 12-9 overall and 6-4 in ECC play.
Match Recap
The Spartans opened the game on a 7-2 run before the Knights responded with a 6-2 run to get within one, 9-8 with 16:48 to go.
But consistent scoring from the Spartans combined with turnovers from the Knights would see the visitors build a nine-point lead of 22-13 with 11:12 left in the first half. Queens would answer back with a 9-3 run from the 10:42 mark to the 8:20 mark to cut their deficit down to one, 25-24.
As the Spartans continued to stay ahead, the Knights would start to get into a rhythm as they matched STAC bucket for bucket. Tied 33-33 with 2:35 left until halftime, the Spartans ended the first half on a 7-0 run to take a 40-33 lead into halftime.
It would be all Knights in the opening 2:54 for the second half as Queens went on a 10-2 run to take a 43-42 lead with 17:06 left in the game, with Chester recording seven points in the run.
But the Spartans would respond by going on a 9-0 run as they got hot from the three-point land forcing a Knights timeout with 14:37 left with Queens trailing 51-43.
As the Spartans took a 10-point lead of 55-45 with 13:38 left, a dunk from Lawrence and a three-pointer from Seraphin would get the Knights within five, 55-50 with 12:36 left, but it would be the closest Queens would get within a comeback as the Spartans took the first of two meetings this season to the final score of 89-76 Saturday afternoon.
By the Numbers
- Chester led the offense recording a game-high 26 points (10-of-16 FG, 4-of-8 3PT, 2-of-4 FT) to go with four rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
- Nkonde recorded his first career double-double with a career-high 12 points (4-of-6 FG, 4-of-4 FT) with 10 rebounds, two blocks and two assists.
- Seraphin tallied 12 points to go with three rebounds and two blocks.
- Lawrence notched 11 points (4-of-5 FG, 2-of-2 3PT, 1-of-2 FT) to go seven rebounds, and one block.
- As a team, the Knights shot 45.3% going 29-of-64 from the field, while the Spartans shot 45.6% on 36-of-79 shooting.
- STAC held a 43-27 rebounding margin with the Queens holding a slim advantage on second chance points with 12-11.
Next Game
The Knights conclude their homestand on Wednesday (Feb. 7) evening as they welcome the Lions of Molloy University to town. Tip-off set for 7:30 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).
