FLUSHING, N.Y. – Returning to Fitzgerald Gymnasium to open a two-game homestand, the Queens College men's basketball team hosted the University of the District of Columbia Firebirds in East Coast Conference play to close the month of January.
Two Knights scored in double figures, led by a career-best 33 points from senior forward
Tahj-Malik Campbell (Philadelphia, PA). Junior guard
David Teele (Harlem, N.Y.) tied a career high with 12 points, while senior forward
Jaden Pena (Brooklyn, N.Y.) added an all-around performance with eight points, nine rebounds, four assists, and three blocks.
Trailing by as many as 12 points with 16:37 remaining in the contest, the duo of Campbell and Teele combined for 31 of Queens' 46 second-half points. Campbell poured in 24 points after halftime, while Teele added seven, as the Knights rallied for a thrilling 81-79 comeback victory over the Firebirds.
With the win, Queens earned its seventh overall victory of the season and third in ECC play. Saturday's result also marked the Knights' second straight victory over the Firebirds.
GAME RECAP
Queens struggled out of the gate as the visitors jumped out to a 17-6 lead by the 14:05 mark of the opening half.
Led by Teele and junior guard
Williams Guzman (Corona, N.Y.), the Knights answered with a 10-4 run from the 13:54 to the 10:47 mark, trimming the deficit to five, 21-16.
Timely scoring from UDC allowed the Firebirds to maintain control, as they pushed their advantage back to double digits at 29-18 with 8:29 remaining.
Queens snapped its scoring drought shortly thereafter, as Campbell and Pena combined for seven points to cut the deficit back to five, 30-25, by the 5:41 mark.
After UDC extended its lead back to eight, 33-25, the junior backcourt duo of
Ahmad Galimore (Bronx, N.Y.) and guard
Johnny Jones (Bronx, N.Y.) sparked a late surge, combining for nine points to pull Queens within one possession, 37-34, with 1:37 remaining. The Firebirds closed the half on a 5-0 run, taking a 42-35 lead into the break.
Sophomore guard
Tyler Michel (Cambria Heights, N.Y.) and Campbell opened the second half with a quick 4-0 run, cutting the deficit to three, 42-39, just 46 seconds in. UDC responded with an 11-2 run to regain momentum, building a 53-41 advantage by the 16:37 mark.
Facing a 12-point deficit, Campbell took over, scoring 11 straight points during an 11-2 Knights run from the 15:20 to the 13:09 mark to bring Queens within three, 55-52.
The final 12 minutes featured a back-and-forth battle, highlighted by five ties and five lead changes. A three-pointer from Teele tied the game at 55-55 with 12:23 remaining, and a layup from Campbell gave Queens its first lead of the contest, 57-55, at the 11:33 mark.
After UDC snapped its scoring drought to tie the game at 57-57, Campbell and Galimore responded with back-to-back baskets to put the Knights ahead 61-57 with 10:05 remaining.
Queens later built a five-point lead, 74-69, with 3:34 left in regulation.
The Firebirds answered with a 10-2 run from the 3:15 to the 1:16 mark, taking a 79-76 advantage. Trailing by three, Campbell beat the shot-clock buzzer with a clutch three-pointer to tie the game at 79-79 with 33 seconds remaining.
With the game hanging in the balance and UDC looking to bleed the clock for a potential game-winner, Campbell had other ideas, coming up with a clutch steal. In a frantic race against the buzzer, Queens missed the initial look before Campbell was fouled on the tip-in attempt, sending the senior to the free-throw line with just 1.1 seconds remaining. Already having tied a career high, Campbell delivered under pressure, calmly sinking both free throws to seal the thrilling 81-79 victory.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Campbell delivered a career-best performance with 33 points on 10 made field goals, adding six rebounds, four assists, three steals, and one block.
- It marked the third time this season the senior has scored 30 or more points.
- Playing all 20 minutes of the second half, Campbell scored 24 points on 8-of-12 shooting, knocked down two three-pointers, and went a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line.
- Teele finished with 12 points, three assists, and two rebounds.
- The junior guard recorded seven points in the second half.
- Galimore added nine points, three rebounds, and an assist.
- Pena recorded eight points, nine rebounds, four assists, and three blocks.
- Jones chipped in eight points, four rebounds, and three steals.
NEXT GAME
The Knights open the month of February at home on Wednesday, February 4, hosting Molloy University Lions inside Fitzgerald Gymnasium in ECC play. Tipoff is scheduled 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 Athletics Main Account (@QCKnights), Queens College MBB (QCKnightsMBB) and Instagram (qcknightsny), men's basketball (qcmensbball).
