FLUSHING, N.Y. – Returning to Flushing, the Queens College women's basketball team opened a two-game weekend homestand by welcoming nationally ranked No. 23 Daemen University in East Coast Conference (ECC) play on Friday evening.
The frontcourt duo of sophomore
Chinyere Ukaegbu (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and junior
Nkiru Awaka (Hyde Park, N.Y.) paced the Knights offensively, combining for 22 points. Ukaegbu recorded her first career double-double with a career-high 12 points and 12 rebounds, while Awaka added 10 points and nine boards. However, Queens was held to 32.7 percent shooting from the field as the Wildcats earned an 81–43 victory.
GAME RECAP
The opening quarter was tightly contested, featuring five ties and three lead changes as Queens went toe-to-toe with Daemen.
The Wildcats jumped out to a 7–4 lead at the 7:07 mark before junior guard
Daja White (Queens, N.Y.) and Ukaegbu helped the Knights even the score at 9–9 with 4:43 remaining in the quarter.
Shooting 46.6 percent from the field in the opening frame, Queens continued to trade baskets and closed the first quarter tied with Daemen at 17–17.
Daemen opened the second quarter on an 11–1 run to take a 28–18 advantage by the 6:26 mark.
A layup from Awaka at 6:03 snapped the Knights' scoring drought, but Queens trailed 36–26 heading into halftime.
The Wildcats shot over 50 percent from the field in the second half while limiting the Knights to under 30 percent, allowing Daemen to pull away and complete the season-series sweep on Friday night.
BY THE NUMBERS:
- Ukaegbu posted her first career double-double with a career-high 12 points and 12 rebounds, adding three steals and one assist.
- Awaka tallied 10 points, nine rebounds, one steal, one block, and one assist.
- White finished with eight points, eight rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
NEXT GAME:
Head coach
Travis Ponton and the Knights conclude the homestand on Sunday, January 18, when they welcome D'Youville University to Flushing. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
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