FLUSHING, N.Y. – The Queens College men's basketball team went 1-1 last week as they defeated Mercy University Wednesday evening before falling short against #14 St. Thomas Aquinas College on Saturday.
 
The Knights will now look to regroup quickly as the second half of East Coast Conference play gets into high gear with Queens welcoming the Lions of Molloy University to town Wednesday (Feb. 7) evening. Queens is looking to complete a series sweep for the first time since the 2015-2016 season.

Queens College Knights Preview

• The Knights went 1-1 last week having defeated Mercy before falling to STAC to open the three-game homestand. Queens enters the week with a record of 6-4 in ECC play as they sit fourth in the standing.  
• Senior forward Malik Bentinck (Queens, N.Y.) is averaging 12.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game with nine 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.) has found his scoring rhythm and is averaging 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game.
  • Since the new year Chester is averaging 16.8 points on 42.1% shooting with 5.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists.
  • Chester has recorded several career-highs this year
    • Points - 28 points against Mercy (1.31)
    • Rebounds – 9 (2x) against Molloy (1.10) & Goldey-Beacom (1.13)
    • Assists – 8 against Roberts Wesleyan (1.19)
  • On Monday (Feb. 5) Chester earned his first major weekly award of the year as he was named Co-Player of the Week by the league office.
    • Also, Chester earned his first ECC Honor Roll spot of the year on Jan. 16.
    • On Tuesday (Feb. 6) Chester earned his first MBWA Honorable Mention of the year.

Molloy University Lions Preview

Series Record: 24-25
Current Steak: W1
Last Win: January 10, 2024 (Away 86-75)
Last Loss: February 4, 2023 (Away 80-87 2OT)

• Molloy enters the week with an overall record of 5-16 and 3-7 in ECC play. The Lions are coming off a victory over Mercy on Saturday afternoon.
• Wednesday's meeting will be the second meeting of the season and the 50^th overall with the Knights trailing the series 24-25.
• The Knights are looking to earn their first series sweep over the Lions since the 2015-16 season having earned a road victory on January 31, 2024
• Rob Matos leads the team averaging 19.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game.
• Billy Reyes is averaging 9.5 points and 2.5 rebounds per game.

Next Game

The Knights open a four-game road stand beginning with a trip to Rochester, N.Y. on Friday (Feb. 16) evening as they wrap the two-game series against the Redhawks of Roberts Wesleyan University.

Follow the Knights

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).