FLUSHING, N.Y. – Concluding their homestand Sunday afternoon, the Queens College women's basketball team welcomed Roberts Wesleyan University Redhawks to Fitzgerald Gymnasium for East Coast Conference action.
Three Knights scored in double figures, led by junior forward
Nkiru Awaka (Hyde Park, N.Y.), who posted a game-high 18 points and 16 rebounds. Junior guard
Daja White (Queens, N.Y.) added 14 points, and rookie guard
Eva Gitto (Albany, N.Y.) chipped in a career-best 10 points. Queens closed the game on a decisive 15–2 run over the final 5:18 to secure a 59–45 victory over the Redhawks.
With the win, Queens earned its fourth victory of the season and first ECC win of the year.
GAME RECAP
Roberts Wesleyan opened the contest with a 7–2 advantage at the 6:56 mark of the first quarter before Awaka and junior forward
Chyna Bryant (Bronx, N.Y.) sparked a 9–5 run to pull Queens within one, 12–11, with 2:16 remaining.
The Redhawks answered with a three-pointer at 1:51 to reclaim the lead, 15–11, but Gitto responded with back-to-back triples, followed by a jumper from
Chinyere Ukaegbu (Brooklyn, N.Y.), as the Knights closed the quarter on an 8–0 run to take a 19–15 lead into the second.
Both teams traded baskets early in the second quarter, with Roberts Wesleyan pulling within three at 23–20 with 6:37 to play.
The quarter then turned into a defensive battle, as Queens held the Redhawks scoreless on 0-for-11 shooting and forced six turnovers. The Knights ended the half on a 6–0 run to extend their lead to 29–20 at the break.
White opened the third quarter with a layup to push Queens ahead by a game-high 11, 31–20. Roberts Wesleyan broke its scoring drought with two free throws at the 9:21 mark, but a second-chance bucket from Awaka restored the 11-point cushion, 33–22, with 8:20 remaining.
A second chance opportunity from Awaka at the 8:20 mark would put the Knights back up by 11, 33-22, before the Redhawks went on a 7-2 run to cut Queens lead down to five, 34-29, with 6:06 left.
The Redhawks responded with a 7–2 run to trim the deficit to five, 34–29, with 6:06 left. Despite continued pressure from the visitors, timely baskets allowed Queens to maintain control, carrying a 42–38 lead into the final quarter.
Roberts Wesleyan opened the fourth with a quick 5–2 spurt, cutting the lead to one, 44–43, with 7:23 remaining.
After a two-minute scoreless stretch, Awaka's layup at the 5:18 mark ignited a game-sealing 15–2 run. Awaka and White combined for 13 points during the stretch as Queens shot 6-of-9 from the field, knocked down two three-pointers, and limited the Redhawks to 1-of-6 shooting with four turnovers to close out the 59–45 victory.
Post Game Quote:
Head Coach
Travis Ponton: "We really had to tough one out today, but as we continue to develop that toughness as a team, good things are going to happen. In the fourth quarter, we finally hit the gas and played some complete basketball, and the 15-2 run put the game away. Our defense was outstanding again, forcing 25 turnovers and holding them to 45 points—that's what we want to do. Nkiru had another monster double-double, and it was great to see Eva's hard work pay off with shots falling. We're back on the road this week against some tough teams, so it's right back to work."
BY THE NUMBERS:
- Awaka recorded her seventh double-double of the season, finishing with a game-high 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting to go along with 16 rebounds, three steals, two assists, and one block.
- White followed with 14 points while adding four assists, two rebounds, and one steal.
- Gitto turned in a career-best performance with 10 points on 3-of-6 shooting and two steals.
- Bryant contributed nine points and a career-high 11 rebounds, along with one steal and one block.
- Ukaegbu filled the stat sheet with four points, four rebounds, five steals, and four assists.
NEXT GAME:
Head coach
Travis Ponton and the Knights open a two-game road swing on Wednesday, December 17, traveling to Rutherford, N.J., for a non-conference matchup against Felician University Golden Falcons. Tipoff is scheduled 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).
