ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. – Competing in the ECC/CACC Conference Challenge on Saturday afternoon, the Queens College women's basketball team opened the 2024–25 campaign against Thomas Jefferson University inside Molloy University's Bob Houlan Gymnasium.
Junior guard
Daja White (Queens, N.Y.) delivered an impressive debut with a team-high 18 points, while junior forward
Nkiru Awaka (Hyde Park, N.Y.) added 11 points. But a slow start to the second half allowed the Rams to pull away, as the Knights dropped their season opener, 82–57.
GAME RECAP
The first quarter featured three ties and six lead changes, with Queens matching Jefferson shot for shot while shooting an efficient 66.7% from the field.
Trailing 9–5 at the 7:35 mark, the Knights responded with a 7–0 run sparked by White and sophomore forward
Chinyere Ukaegbu (Brooklyn, N.Y.) to take a 12–9 lead. The teams continued to trade baskets, and after Queens pulled within one at 22–21 on buckets by Awaka and Ukaegbu, Jefferson closed the period ahead 26–23.
Queens was held to 37.5% shooting in the second quarter as Jefferson gradually extended its advantage. Despite the Knights keeping the deficit in single digits for much of the frame, the Rams took a 42–32 lead into halftime.
In the second quarter, Queens would be held to 37.5% from the field as the Rams built on their lead. However the Knights would battle to keep their deficit in the single digits but Jefferson would take a 42-32 lead into halftime.
In the third quarter, Jefferson extended its advantage early, creating separation the Knights were unable to overcome. The Rams maintained their momentum through the final frame to defeat Queens to the final score of 82–57 Saturday afternoon.
Post Game Quote:
Head Coach
Travis Ponton: "We came out with a ton of energy and really executed our game plan in the first half. I liked our preparation and it showed early on. Jefferson is a perennial power in the region and beyond for a lot of reasons. We can't give a team like that so many extra chances, and our turnovers and their advantage on the offensive glass hurt us in the middle portion of the game. The margin was really there in the second and third quarters. That being said, for our first regular season game with a whole bunch of new faces, we showed a lot, and we are right back to work for the next one"
BY THE NUMBERS:
- White led Queens with 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting, adding five assists, two rebounds, and one steal.
- Awaka added 11 points (5-of-7 FG), seven rebounds, and one block.
- Ukaegbu recorded six points, a team-high 10 rebounds, one block, and one steal.
- Graduate forward Jordan Tobin (Massapequa, N.Y.) contributed six points and two rebounds off the bench.
NEXT GAME:
Head coach
Travis Ponton and the Knights conclude the Conference Challenge on Sunday, November 16, when they take on the Chestnut Hill College Griffins. Tip-off is set for 2:30 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 Main Account (@QCKnights), Queens College WBB (QCKnightsWBB) and Instagram (qcknightsny), women's basketball (qcknightswbb).
