By Dylan Butler
Call it maturity or call it confidence, but the Queens College women’s basketball team did not panic despite Concordia’s red-hot first-half shooting, which saw the Clippers take an early 12-point lead.
Instead the Knights went to their strength — a balanced scoring attack led by sophomore Erin White and senior Shonda Holder — and opened the second half on a 15-0 run to win their seventh straight, 76-58, in Bronxville Saturday.
“We have a really good vibe going and have an opportunity to do some serious damage,” said Queens coach Denis Conroy. “We have an opportunity to hopefully get a home game in the playoffs, and we still have a chance to win the league.”
Led by Holder’s 18 points and eight rebounds, Queens (14-8, 13-6 NYCAC) had five players score in double figures and outscored Concordia (7-17, 7-12) 43-25 in the second half.
“We have so many weapons,” said junior guard Lauren Tartamella, who has filled the void at point guard left by injured Patti Cronin. “They try and shut down one person and then two others are going to come get you. That’s the problem (playing) our team — we create matchup problems for a lot of teams.”
After struggling early, White scored 14 of her 16 points in the second half, and Tartamella continued her stellar play with 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting. Erin Dollard and Amy Mulligan (nine rebounds) added 10 points apiece for Queens, which closed the game on a 19-5 run after Concordia got within six, 59-53, with 6:32 left in the second half.
“I think in the second half we came out and stepped it up on defense, played more aggressive and calmed ourselves down more on offense and got better shot selection,” White said.
After the team rallied to tie the game at 33 at the half, two three-pointers by White, another by Dollard and layups by Tartamella and Holder put the Knights in front, 48-33, less than five minutes into the second half.
“Erin White has really accepted the role she has on this team. Shonda and her are our scorers,” Conroy said. “And the other kids are doing a great job. We have very balanced scoring.”
Pam Karagiorgios scored a game-high 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, Sarah Liebelt had 11 points and 12 rebounds, and Katie Reynolds and Tiffany Daley scored eight points apiece for Concordia.
After hosting Mercy Thursday and Southampton Saturday, Queens plays at New Haven Monday at 5 p.m.
Reach Associate Sports Editor Dylan Butler by e-mail at TimesLedger@aol.com or call 718-229-0300, Ext. 143.
