FLUSHING, N.Y. – Returning to Fitzgerald Gymnasium to open the week, the Queens College women's basketball team battled Mercy University in East Coast Conference play.
Two Knights powered the offensive effort, led by junior forward
Nkiru Awaka (Hyde Park, N.Y.), who continued her dominant season with an ECC-leading 16th double-double, posting a game-high 22 points and 15 rebounds. Junior forward
Yinka Kruyswijk (Amsterdam, Netherlands) added 10 points to support the attack.
Despite a resilient second-half push, Queens fell to the Mavericks by a final score of 73-55.
GAME RECAP
Queens came out aggressive, with Awaka scoring four quick points to give the Knights an early 4-2 advantage. Mercy responded with a 7-0 run midway through the opening quarter to seize control, but Awaka answered with back-to-back layups to keep the Knights within striking distance.
A three-pointer from rookie guard
Eva Gitto (Albany, N.Y.) trimmed the deficit, and Awaka's late three-point play sent Queens into the second quarter trailing just 18-14.
Back-to-back layups from Awaka continue to keep the Knights within striking distance before a three-pointer from rookie guard got Queens within five, 16-11 with 1:16 to go.
The Knights continued to fight in the second stanza, cutting the margin to two following a second-chance bucket from sophomore guard
Jaeda Hall (Saint Albans, N.Y.).
Mercy, however, used a decisive 12-0 run to create separation. Queens refused to fold, closing the half on a 6-0 surge fueled by Hall, junior guard
Shellby Mcgill (Bronx, N.Y.), and Awaka to enter the break down 30-22.
Queens carried that momentum into the third quarter, as Awaka and Kruyswijk sparked a 7-3 run that brought the Knights within four at 33-29.
Mercy responded with a blistering offensive stretch, shooting an impressive 68.7 percent from the field in the period to build a commanding lead.
The Mavericks' scoring burst proved too much to overcome, as Queens was unable to complete the rally.
BY THE NUMBERS:
- Awaka paced the Knights with her 16th double-double of the season, finishing with 22 points, 15 rebounds, and a block.
- Kruyswijk contributed 10 points and four rebounds.
- Rookie guard Enise Hodzic (Queens, N.Y.) delivered a well-rounded performance, recording seven points, tying a career-best seven assists, and adding six rebounds.
- Hall chipped in seven points and five rebounds.
NEXT GAME:
Head coach
Travis Ponton and the Knights conclude the week on Sunday, February 22, traveling to Sparkill, N.Y., for an ECC matchup against the St. Thomas Aquinas College Spartans. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 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).
