ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. – Returning to East Coast Conference play to conclude their road stand, the Queens College men's basketball team traveled to Rockville Centre to take on Molloy University Lions Saturday afternoon inside Bob Houlihan Gymnasium.
Five Knights scored in double figures, led by senior forward
Tahj-Malik Campbell (Philadelphia, PA) and rookie forward
Henri Mennander (Helsinki, Finland), who posted 14 points apiece. Junior guard
Johnny Jones (Bronx, N.Y.) and forward
Ahmad Galimore (Bronx, N.Y.) added 11 points each, while sophomore guard
Lleyton Fried (Harrisburg, PA) chipped in 10 points.
In a back-and-forth contest featuring three ties and four lead changes, Queens was limited to seven points over the final 6:32 of the game as Molloy closed on a 17–7 run to hand the Knights an 87–78 loss.
GAME RECAP
Molloy opened the contest with a 10–5 advantage by the 17:10 mark before Queens answered with a 10–3 run, sparked by four points from Mennander, to take a 15–13 lead with 13:48 remaining in the first half.
The Lions responded quickly, rattling off a 7–0 run to regain the lead, 22–15, with 11:07 to play.
A three-pointer from Galimore halted the run at the 10:57 mark, but Molloy followed with a 10–0 surge to push its advantage to 32–18 by the 8:03 mark.
Back-to-back layups from sophomore guard
Tyler Michel (Cambria Heights, N.Y.) ignited a 14–2 run for the Knights, trimming the deficit to two, 34–32, with 3:31 left in the half.
Molloy, however, closed the period with a brief spurt to take a 39–35 lead into halftime.
The opening five minutes of the second half saw both teams trade baskets, combining for 23 points.
Just as Queens pulled within one, 49–48, by the 15:30 mark, Molloy answered with a 6–0 run to extend its lead to seven, 55–48.
With the Lions leading by seven, 65-58 at the 10:09 mark, a triple from junior guard
Dontae Prescott (Coney Island, N.Y.) sparked a 13–5 run. Queens briefly reclaimed the lead, 71–70, as Mennander capped the surge with a layup at the 6:48 mark.
Over the final 6:32, the Knights were limited to two made field goals while Molloy closed the game on a decisive 17–7 run to secure the 87–78 victory.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Campbell posted an all-around performance with 14 points, eight rebounds, a career-high six assists, and one steal.
- Mennander recorded his fifth double-double of the season with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists.
- Jones recorded 11 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
- Galimore tallied 11 points, three rebounds, and three assists.
- Fried added 10 points, four assists, two rebounds, and one steal.
NEXT GAME
The Knights open a two-game homestand on Friday, January 16, welcoming Daemen University Wildcats to Fitzgerald Gymnasium for ECC action. Tip-off is set for 7:30 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).
