FLUSHING, N.Y. – Concluding their East Coast Conference (ECC) homestand Sunday afternoon, the Queens College women's basketball team welcomed the D'Youville University Saints to Fitzgerald Gymnasium.
Three Knights paced the offense, led by a team-high 16 points from junior guard
Daja White (Queens, N.Y.). Junior forward
Nkiru Awaka (Hyde Park, N.Y.) recorded a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds, while rookie guard
Eva Gitto (Albany, N.Y.) added a career-best 12 points.
In a tightly contested game that featured 12 lead changes and five ties, Queens seized momentum with a dominant third quarter, outscoring D'Youville 22–13. Trailing late, the Knights' defense stood tall in the closing minutes before White delivered the game-winning basket with 5.1 seconds remaining to secure a thrilling 57–56 victory and earn the series split.
With the win, Queens secured its fifth overall victory of the season and second in ECC play. The victory also snapped a five-game losing streak against the Saints, marking the Knights' first win over D'Youville since January 27, 2023, when Queens earned a 66–63 overtime victory at home.
GAME RECAP
Behind two three-pointers from White and a layup by sophomore forward
Chinyere Ukaegbu (Brooklyn, N.Y.), Queens jumped out to an 8–2 lead by the 6:02 mark of the first quarter.
D'Youville responded with a 10–4 run to tie the contest at 12–12 with 1:07 remaining in the opening period. A jumper from Ukaegbu gave Queens a 14–12 edge heading into the second quarter.
In the second quarter, the Saints shot 57.1 percent from the field and outscored Queens 20–11 to take a 32–25 lead into halftime.
Queens shifted the tempo in the third quarter, shooting 50 percent from the field with seven made baskets. Trailing by seven to open the half, the Knights used a 5–0 run fueled by Awaka and Ukaegbu to pull within two, 32–30, with 7:06 remaining.
D'Youville extended its lead to six at 36–30 before Ukaegbu and junior forward
Chyna Bryant (Bronx, N.Y.) answered with baskets of their own to cut the deficit to two, 36–34, with 4:51 left in the quarter.
After the Saints pushed the lead back to four, Queens closed the quarter on a 13–9 run over the final 3:29 to take a 47–45 lead into the final 10 minutes. Gitto led the charge, shooting a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc in the period.
The fourth quarter featured two lead changes and one tie, with both teams combining for 10 made field goals while shooting 33.3 percent from the floor.
D'Youville opened the quarter by tying the game at 47–47, but an 8–4 run led by six points from Awaka gave Queens a 55–51 advantage with 4:13 remaining.
The Saints answered with a 5–0 run to reclaim a 56–55 lead with 2:46 to play.
As the Knights' defense held D'Youville scoreless the rest of the way, Queens forced a five-second violation on an inbound play to set up the decisive possession with eight seconds remaining.
Following the inbound from Bryant, White drove to the basket and finished the game-winning layup with 5.1 seconds remaining, sealing the 57–56 victory and Queens' second ECC win of the season.
Post Game Quote:
Head Coach
Travis Ponton: "That was an exciting win at home, much needed too. We defended so well today against a D'Youville team that can absolutely fill it up. Our ladies executed so well on both sides of the ball and made adjustments throughout the game that made a difference. When we lock in defensively, we are absolutely in games. Nkiru continued to do what she does, even against all the different coverages we see. Eva made some huge shots, especially in the second half. And late in the game, Daja had that mentality that we were getting this one and went out and backed it up. That's the mentality we'll continue to preach and the culture we'll continue to build. Enjoy this one, but it's right back to work for a tough road matchup Wednesday."
BY THE NUMBERS:
- White led all scorers with a team-high 16 points while adding five rebounds, three assists, and one steal.
- Awaka continued her strong play inside, recording her 10th double-double of the season with 13 points, 12 rebounds, two blocks, two steals, and two assists.
- Gitto provided a spark off the bench with a career-best 12 points, knocking down four three-pointers to go along with three rebounds, one steal, and one assist.
- Ukaegbu contributed eight points, six rebounds, and one block.
- Bryant filled the stat sheet with six points, eight rebounds, four assists, one block, and one steal.
- Rookie guard Enise Hodzic (Queens, N.Y.) chipped in two points, three rebounds, and three assists in the victory.
NEXT GAME:
Head coach
Travis Ponton and the Knights travel to Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., on Wednesday, January 21, to face Mercy University Mavericks in ECC play. Tipoff is set for 5:00 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).
