SPARKILL, N.Y. – Concluding the week on the road, the Queens College men's basketball team squared off against St. Thomas Aquinas College in East Coast Conference action Sunday afternoon inside Aquinas Hall.
Three Knights reached double figures, highlighted by a career-best performance from junior guard
Johnny Jones (Bronx, N.Y.), who poured in 29 points. The frontcourt duo of rooki
e Henri Mennander (Helsinki, Finland) and senior forward
Tahj-Malik Campbell (Philadelphia, PA) each recorded their second double-double of the week, with Campbell finishing with 26 points and 10 rebounds, while Mennander added 15 points and 10 boards.
In a tightly contested matchup featuring five ties and six lead changes, Queens trimmed a double-digit deficit to four with just over five minutes remaining. However, a late Spartans surge proved decisive as the home side pulled away for a 94-85 victory.
GAME RECAP
Both teams opened the contest trading baskets in an evenly paced start. Trailing 9-8 early, Queens responded with six straight points from Campbell to claim a 14-9 advantage.
The Spartans answered with an 8-0 run to regain control, but a free throw from junior guard
Williams Guzman (Corona, N.Y.) and a jumper by junior guard
David Teele (Harlem, N.Y.) halted the drought and tied the game at 17-17.
Balanced scoring from Jones, Campbell, and Mennander kept the Knights within striking distance throughout the first half.
After falling behind 38-30, Queens closed the period on a 13-6 run behind seven points from Jones to cut the deficit to one, 44-43, at halftime.
Queens carried that momentum into the second half, quickly taking a 47-44 lead less than a minute after the restart. St. Thomas Aquinas responded with a 7-0 run to swing the lead back in its favor, setting the tone for a competitive back-and-forth stretch.
The Knights remained resilient, narrowing a six-point gap to 59-58 midway through the half. The Spartans countered with a decisive 17-6 run to build their largest lead of the game at 76-64. Queens refused to fold, using a 12-4 run to close within four at 80-76 with just over five minutes to play.
A late Spartans push ultimately sealed the outcome as the hosts regained separation and secured the 94-85 decision.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Jones delivered a career-best 29 points on 10 made field goals, adding three rebounds, two steals, and one assist.
- Campbell recorded his team-leading ninth double-double of the season, finishing with 26 points on 11 made field goals, along with 10 rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
- Mennander recorded his ninth double-double of the season, finishing with 15 points, 10 rebounds, one block, and one steal.
NEXT GAME
The Knights return home for their final home game of the regular season on Wednesday, February 25, when they host the College of Staten Island Dolphins in ECC play. Tip-off 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).
