FLUSHING, N.Y. – Returning to Fitzgerald Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon to close out the month of January, the Queens College women's basketball team hosted the University of the District of Columbia Firebirds in East Coast Conference play.
Three Knights scored in double figures, led by a career-high 21 points from sophomore forward
Chinyere Ukaegbu (Brooklyn, N.Y.), a career-best 14 points from rookie guard
Eva Gitto (Albany, N.Y.), and a near triple-double from junior forward
Nkiru Awaka (Hyde Park, N.Y.), who finished with 15 points, 15 rebounds, and eight steals.
After taking a two-point lead into halftime, Queens dominated the third quarter, outscoring UDC 24–7. Ukaegbu and Gitto combined for 17 points in the stanza as the Knights built a lead as large as 19 points, one they would not surrender, earning a 67–57 victory over the Firebirds.
With the win, Queens earned its sixth overall victory of the season and third in ECC play. The victory also marked the Knights' first win over UDC since February 11, 2023, snapping a four-game losing streak against the Firebirds.
GAME RECAP
Queens jumped out to an early start as rookie guard
Enise Hodzic (Queens, N.Y.) scored four quick points. UDC responded with back-to-back three-pointers to take a 6–4 lead at the 8:18 mark of the opening quarter.
The Knights answered immediately, as a Gitto three-pointer and a layup from Ukaegbu gave Queens a 9–6 advantage at 6:29.
However, the Firebirds closed the quarter on a 9–4 run to take a 15–13 lead into the second quarter.
Both teams were held scoreless for the first four minutes of the second quarter before Awaka converted a layup at the 6:00 mark to tie the game at 15–15. That basket sparked an 11–0 run for the Knights over the next three minutes, as Queens built a 24–15 lead by the 2:55 mark.
During the run, Queens held UDC scoreless on 0-for-10 shooting from the field while forcing seven turnovers.
The Firebirds responded with a 7–0 run to close the half, trimming the advantage to two as Queens took a 24–22 lead into the break.
UDC opened the third quarter by tying the game at 24–24 at the 9:22 mark, but Queens quickly seized control. Two free throws from Awaka at 9:08 ignited a 15–0 run, capped at the 5:31 mark, as the Knights took a commanding 39–24 lead. Awaka, Gitto, and Ukaegbu combined for all 15 points during the stretch.
Queens shot 45.5 percent from the field in the third quarter while holding UDC to just 6.3 percent shooting, as the Knights outscored the Firebirds 24–7 to take a 48–29 lead into the final 10 minutes.
Timely baskets in the fourth quarter allowed Queens to maintain its double-digit lead. Ukaegbu and Awaka combined for 10 of the Knights' 19 points in the period, sealing the 67–57 ECC victory.
Post Game Quote:
Head Coach
Travis Ponton: "I'm so proud of the way our team came out and played today. With us, it always starts with defense, and our effort on that end of the floor really sparked our play this afternoon. Chin had a career-high 21 points, but how about those six steals? Nkiru with another double-double, plus eight steals and four blocks. Eva stepped up with a career-high 14 points, and Shellby gave us some really valuable minutes off the bench. This is who we can be when we're locked in. As the calendar flips to February, we've got to build off this one."
BY THE NUMBERS:
- Ukaegbu recorded a career- and game-high 21 points on seven made field goals, adding six rebounds, three assists, and tying a career-best six steals.
- Awaka posted her career-best 14th double-double of the season with 15 points, 15 rebounds, a career-high eight steals, five assists, and four blocks.
- Gitto tallied a career-best 14 points with four made field goals, four rebounds, and three assists.
- Hodzic chipped in six points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
NEXT GAME:
Head coach
Travis Ponton and the Knights open the month of February at home on Wednesday, February 4, hosting Molloy University inside Fitzgerald Gymnasium. Tipoff is scheduled 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 Main Account (@QCKnights), Queens College WBB (QCKnightsWBB), and Instagram (qcknightsny), women's basketball (qcknightswbb).
