ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Queens College women's basketball team closed out its two-game road trip Sunday afternoon with a matchup against the Roberts Wesleyan University Redhawks inside the Voller Athletic Center in East Coast Conference play.
Two Knights led the offensive effort, as junior forward
Nkiru Awaka (Hyde Park, N.Y.) poured in a game-high 21 points, while junior forward
Yinka Kruyswijk (Amsterdam, Netherlands) added a career-best 14 points.
Behind a strong first half, Queens built a double-digit lead and maintained control before sealing the victory at the free-throw line down the stretch. The Knights secured a 65-58 win to complete the season series sweep.
With the victory, Queens earned its seventh overall win and fourth in ECC play, remaining firmly in contention for a postseason spot. Sunday's result also extended the Knights' winning streak to six games against Roberts Wesleyan.
GAME RECAP
Both teams opened the game trading baskets early. With the Redhawks holding an 8-6 edge at the 4:30 mark, a three-pointer from rookie guard
Eva Gitto (Albany, N.Y.) at 3:56 ignited a 14-3 Queens run, giving the Knights a 20-11 lead heading into the second quarter.
Queens was paced in the opening frame by Gitto, Kruyswijk, and Awaka, as Gitto and Kruyswijk combined for 11 points while Awaka added three.
Awaka and sophomore forward
Chinyere Ukaegbu (Brooklyn, N.Y.) continued to lead the way in the second quarter, helping Queens extend its advantage to 24-14.
Holding the Redhawks scoreless for over 2:39, a layup by junior forward
Chyna Bryant (Bronx, N.Y.) pushed the Knights' lead to 26-14 with 5:29 remaining in the half.
However, Queens hit a brief scoring drought, allowing the Redhawks to respond with a 5-0 run over 2:11, cutting the deficit to 28-19 with 2:51 left before halftime.
Kruyswijk halted the momentum swing, sparking a 7-2 Knights run to close the quarter. Bryant capped the half with a layup at the buzzer, sending Queens into the break with a 35-21 lead.
Awaka opened the scoring in the third quarter at the 9:14 mark, extending the lead to 37-21. The basket marked a career milestone for the junior forward, as she recorded her 1,000th career point.
By the under-five media timeout, both teams combined for 21 points, but Queens maintained control with a 45-32 advantage.
The third quarter remained a high-scoring affair, with both teams combining for 34 points in the period. Queens carried a 52-38 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Redhawks opened the final frame on a 10-5 run, trimming the deficit to nine, 57-48, with 6:02 remaining.
After Awaka split a pair of free throws to push the lead to 58-48, the Redhawks answered with a layup at the 2:24 mark to pull within eight.
Despite being held without a field goal in the closing minutes, Queens' defense stood firm. The Knights converted key free throws down the stretch to secure the 65-58 victory and complete the series sweep.
Quote:
Head Coach
Travis Ponton: "This was a really big conference road win today at a key time. Every day is a great day to learn, and we learned some things today. Our defensive effort was a big key, and having three players with double-digit rebounds was also vital, so well done by Nkiru, Chyna, and Chin. Nkiru Awaka is already having a special career here at Queens, so it's great to see her join the 1,000-point club with some QC legends. And then I'm so happy for Yinka to come out and make shots like that. The talent is there with her, so a game like this can really give her a boost down the stretch. This is that time of year, every game is huge, so we will be right back to work this week at home."
BY THE NUMBERS:
- Awaka led the Knights with a dominant double-double, recording a game-high 21 points, 11 rebounds, and three steals while reaching the 1,000-career-point milestone.
- Kruyswijk delivered a career-best performance with 14 points, knocking down four three-pointers to go along with four rebounds and two steals.
- Gitto contributed across the board with nine points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two blocks.
- Bryant anchored the glass with a game-high 12 rebounds, while Ukaegbu added 10 rebounds, three steals, and two blocks.
- Junior guard Shellby Mcgill (Bronx, N.Y.) recorded eight points on 3-of-5 shooting off the bench.
NEXT GAME:
Head coach
Travis Ponton and the Knights return home on Wednesday, February 18, as they welcome Mercy University Mavericks to Fitzgerald Gymnasium. Tip-off 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).
