BRIDGEPORT, CT. – Staying on the road, the Queens College women's basketball team traveled to Bridgeport, Connecticut, for a non-conference matchup against the University of Bridgeport Saturday afternoon inside Harvey Hubbell Gymnasium.
Three Knights scored in double figures, led by a career-high 13 points from rookie
Enise Hodzic (Queens, N.Y.). Junior forward
Nkiru Awaka (Hyde Park, N.Y.) and senior forward
Chyna Bryant (Bronx, N.Y.) each recorded double-doubles, combining for 23 points and 25 rebounds as Queens used a dominant second half to secure a 57–44 victory over the Purple Knights.
The win marks the first career victory for first-year head coach
Travis Ponton and the Knights' first win inside Harvey Hubbell Gymnasium since the 2017–18 season, when they earned a 62–59 decision.
GAME RECAP
Queens opened the game strong, taking a 4–0 lead in the first 68 seconds behind early baskets from Hodzic and Awaka.
After a Bridgeport three-pointer cut the deficit to 4–3, the Knights responded with another 4–0 burst as junior forward
Yinka Kruyswijk (Amsterdam, Netherlands) and Hodzic extended the lead to 8–3 at the 5:08 mark.
A personal 7–0 run by Bryant helped Queens maintain control through the opening quarter, taking a 15–9 advantage into the second period.
However, cold shooting and six second-quarter turnovers stalled the Knights' momentum, allowing Bridgeport to claw back and tie the game at 20–20 heading into halftime.
Coming out of the locker room, Queens regained its rhythm. Sophomore forward
Chinyere Ukaegbu (Brooklyn, N.Y.) sparked a 10–2 run with five points as the Knights built a 32–22 lead by the 5:09 mark of the third quarter.
Though Bridgeport briefly trimmed the margin to single digits, timely baskets from Awaka, junior guard
Daja White (Queens, N.Y.), Bryant, and rookie guard
Eva Gitto (Albany, N.Y.) kept Queens comfortably ahead. The Knights shot an impressive 47.0% (8-of-17) in the third quarter, outscoring the Purple Knights 22–12 to take a 42–32 lead into the fourth.
Hodzic and Ukaegbu opened the final period with a 6–0 run to stretch the lead to 48–32, Queens' largest advantage of the afternoon, and force a Bridgeport timeout at the 7:56 mark.
Bridgeport attempted a late push, but Awaka and White combined for seven key points down the stretch to seal the Knights' first victory of the season, a 57–44 triumph on the road.
Post Game Quote:
Head Coach
Travis Ponton: "We've been talking a lot about having a next-play mentality, and today that process really showed on the road. Our ladies just kept chopping, and I'm super proud of them. Defensively, we were outstanding in both our execution and our energy. When you defend like that, you always give yourself a great chance to win. White played wire-to-wire and set the tone with her will to win. Awaka and Bryant were huge with their double-doubles, but they also made a lot of plays that don't show up in the stat sheet. There's plenty to be proud of and plenty to keep building on. Back to work for the next one."
BY THE NUMBERS:
- Hodzic turned in a career day, posting a career-best 13 points along with 2 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 assist.
- Awaka recorded her second straight double-double of the week with 11 points, a season-high 14 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 assists.
- Bryant earned her first double-double of the season, finishing with a career-best 13 points on 6-of-9 shooting, 10 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 assist.
- White added nine points and a team-high four assists.
- Ukaegbu delivered an all-around performance with 7 points, 4 rebounds, 3 blocks, 3 steals, and 2 assists.
NEXT GAME:
Head Coach
Travis Ponton and the Knights conclude their road stand in Garden City, N.Y., on Tuesday, November 25, as they take on the Adelphi University Panthers. Tipoff is set for 5:30 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).
