FLUSHING, N.Y. – Concluding their homestand Wednesday evening, the Queens College men's basketball team welcomed Pace University Setters to Fitzgerald Gymnasium for a non-conference matchup.
Two Knights scored in double figures, led by senior forward
Jaden Pena (Brooklyn, N.Y.), who recorded a team-high 14 points. Junior guard
Dontae Prescott (Coney Island, N.Y.) chipped in 12 points. In a back-and-forth contest featuring three ties and four lead changes, Queens was unable to complete a second-half rally, falling to the Setters, 72–67.
GAME RECAP
Queens struggled offensively in the opening half, shooting 32.1 percent from the field, while Pace shot over 50.0 percent and maintained a lead throughout the first 20 minutes.
After the Setters built an 11-point advantage, 28–17, with 5:59 remaining in the half, Pena, junior guard
David Teele (Harlem, N.Y.), and sophomore guard
Tyler Michel (Cambria Heights, N.Y.) combined for a 9–2 run to pull the Knights within four, 30–26, at the 3:46 mark.
Queens remained within striking distance by holding Pace to five points over the final 3:28 of the half, but still trailed 36–29 heading into halftime.
The Knights came out strong in the second half, using a 10–0 run from the 19:24 to 16:47 marks to take a 39–36 lead. During the stretch, Pace committed three turnovers and went scoreless from the field.
Over the next five minutes, both teams exchanged baskets before a layup by Prescott tied the game at 48–48 with 11:56 remaining.
Queens then went cold offensively, allowing Pace to go on a 14–4 run from the 11:34 to 6:57 marks to take a 62–52 lead, forcing a Queens timeout.
The Knights mounted a late comeback effort and cut the deficit to four, but timely baskets and free throws down the stretch allowed Pace to hold on for the 72–67 victory and earn the season series split.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Pena tallied a team-high 14 points and three rebounds.
- Prescott recorded 12 points, two steals, and two rebounds.
- Rookie forward Henri Mennander (Helsinki, Finland) notched nine points, seven rebounds, and two blocks.
NEXT GAME
The Knights open a two-game road stand to close out the calendar year on Saturday, December 20, traveling to Lakewood, N.J., for a non-conference matchup against Georgian Court University. Tipoff is set for noon.
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