By Zach Gewelb
The Queens College men’s basketball team fell to Lincoln University 70-48 Sunday to conclude its non-conference schedule.
The loss marked the end of the Knights’ seven-game home stretch as the team fell to 2-5 on the season.
The Knights struggled to put the ball in the basket, with only one player scoring over 10 points. Freshman Keenan Gorski led the squad with 11 points, while sophomore Isaac Grant added six.
Queens shot just 32.8 percent overall and converted just five of 26 shots from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, Lincoln thrived on the offensive end of the court, converting over 49 percent of their shots and shooting five of 13 from three-point range.
The Lions were led by Elijah Bush and Gevon Arrington, who poured in 14 points and 13 points, respectively.
Things weren’t all bad for Queens, who grabbed an early 12-9 lead with just over 11 minutes remaining in the first half. Then, the Knights’ went cold from the field and lost their momentum. Lincoln held them scoreless for nearly nine minutes while going on a 20-2 to take a 29-14 lead.
Lincoln’s lead remained at 15 heading into halftime before increasing its advantage early in the second half. The Lions scored the first six points of the half and eventually built their lead to as many as 29 with just under 10 minutes left to play.
Queens couldn’t mount a comeback and ultimately fell 70-48.
The loss comes after the Knights disposed of Adelphi University 92-86 on Military, Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day Nov. 29.
Six players scored in double figures to help lead Queens to victory, as the Knights shot 55.7 percent from the floor and 62.5 percent from beyond the arc. Of the six to score in double digits, five were freshmen.
Freshmen Tyrese Crosdale (19 points), Dwayne Henry (17 points), Keenan Gorski (13 points), Jelani Williams (11 points) and Elijah Bovell (10 points) recorded 70 of the Knights’ 92 points. Sophomore Wayne Li added 12 points.
The Knights took an early lead, but found themselves behind 18-10 just 5:36 into the game. Queens snapped back into form to take a 24-21, but the teams swapped baskets and the score was tied at 28-28.
The Knights reclaimed the lead to take a 48-44 advantage into halftime and never looked back. Adelphi tied the game at 54-54 before Li converted on back-to-back three-pointers to put Queens up for good.
The Knights went up but as many as 17, but Adelphi would not go down easy, using an 11-0 run late in the half to get back into the game. But Queens made their late free throw attempts to keep Adelphi at bay and secure the 92-86 victory.
The win over Adelphi snapped the Knights’ four-game losing streak after the they had opened the season 1-1.
Queens will begin conference play this weekend when the Knights travel to Molloy College for a 2 p.m. showdown Saturday.
Reach reporter Zach Gewelb by e-mail at zgewe
