FLUSHING, N.Y. – The Queens College men's basketball team opened a three-game homestand Wednesday night, hosting the Franklin Pierce University Ravens in non-conference action inside Fitzgerald Gymnasium.
Senior forward
Jaden Pena (Brooklyn, N.Y.) led the Knights with his first double-double of the season, posting a team-high 15 points and 13 rebounds, and sophomore guard
Tyler Michel (Cambria Heights, N.Y.) added 11 points. Despite two ties and five lead changes, the Knights were unable to overcome a cold first half and fell to the Ravens, 85–71.
GAME RECAP
Both teams traded early baskets before Franklin Pierce used a 6–2 spurt to take a 10–6 lead with 15:42 remaining.
Down 16–12, Queens responded with a layup from junior forward
Ahmad Galimore (Bronx, N.Y.) and a three-pointer from Michel to take a 17–16 advantage at the 12-minute mark.
After the Ravens briefly reclaimed the lead, a three from junior guard
Johnny Jones (Bronx, N.Y.) followed by a tip-in from Pena put Queens ahead 22–18 with 10:22 left in the half.
However, the Knights then endured a scoring drought, allowing Franklin Pierce to rattle off nine straight points to go up 27–22 and forcing a Queens timeout at the 6:17 mark.
Rookie forward
Henri Mennander (Helsinki, Finland) snapped the drought with six consecutive points, keeping the Knights within three on multiple possessions. His pair of free throws with 4:43 remaining cut the deficit to 31–28, but the Ravens closed the half on a 10–4 run to take a 41–32 lead into the break.
Franklin Pierce opened the second half with an 8–2 burst to extend the margin to 49–34, prompting a Queens timeout. Michel answered with five quick points to bring the Knights within nine, but the Ravens responded again to push the lead back to 14.
Queens continued to battle, using a 10–4 run from the 14:18 mark to 10:25 to pull within eight at 58–50. That was as close as the Knights would get, as Franklin Pierce regained control and maintained a double-digit lead the rest of the way en route to the 85–71 final.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Pena recorded his first double-double of the year with 15 points and 13 rebounds to go with four blocks.
- Michel tallied 11 points and one rebound.
- Mennaner recorded nine points and four rebounds.
NEXT GAME
The Knights continue their homestand on Sunday, December 14, when they welcome the Roberts Wesleyan University Redhawks to Fitzgerald Gymnasium for East Coast Conference play. Tipoff is set for 3:30 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 Athletics Main Account (@QCKnights), Queens College MBB (QCKnightsMBB) and Instagram (qcknightsny), men's basketball (qcmensbball).
