Washington, D.C. - In what turned out to be an ending fit for a storybook, the combined efforts of Madison, Merrick and MacKenzie Rowland lifted the second-seeded Queens College women's basketball team to its second consecutive East Coast Conference Championship over fourth-seeded Roberts Wesleyan, 60-54, Sunday afternoon at UDC Sports Complex.
As she has done so often throughout her career, Madison led the Knights in scoring with 17 points and added 10 rebounds. MacKenzie was relentless near the hoop, scoring 16 points and grabbing a game-high 19 rebounds, while Merrick connected on three three-pointers on her way to scoring 13 points.
The Knights controlled the game early on, churning their way to a 12-4 lead after a made jumper by Mad. Rowland with just under three minutes remaining in the first. Roberts only connected on two free throws to whittle the Knights lead to six after one.
In the second, Queens seized the first double-digit lead of the contest after back-to-back conversions by All-ECC performers, Kristen Korzevinski and Mad. Rowland. A spell of cold shooting ensued for the Knights, which allowed Roberts Wesleyan to creep their way back into the picture. A jumper by Taylor Bynoe narrowed the margin to two, 18-16, until a short jumper by Mack. Rowland gave Queens a 20-16 lead heading to intermission.
Out of the break the two teams traded baskets until midway through the third when a string of scores by the Rowland sisters gave the Knights a bit of separation. First it was a three by Merrick Rowland that gave the Knights a five-point advantage, 31-26, which was followed by layups from Madison and MacKenzie. A technical foul by the Redhawks' Brook Fields put Korzevinski at the line for two freebies before the sharpshooting senior returned moments after to connect on two more. Another three by Me. Rowland to close out the third gave the Knights a 45-32 lead heading into the final frame.
Queens would then score the first six points to jump out to its largest lead of the game, 50-33, with 8:25 remaining. Roberts Wesleyan did not wilt, however, quickly building momentum behind Samantha Courtney and Necedah James. A pair of free throws by Courtney made it a one-possession game, 57-54, with 16 seconds remaining. For Queens, freshman guard Kaitlyn Mahon then connected on three of four free throws to secure the team's second straight championship with the six point victory.
On the game, Queens combatted lackluster shooting by outrebounding Roberts Wesleyan, 53-43, and distributing five more assists than their opponents. On defense, the Knights limited the Redhawks to only 1-for-10 shooting from three and received a major boost by connecting on five of their own attempts. Courtney led the Redhawks in scoring with 16 points and also added 14 rebounds. Bynoe contributed 15 points as well.
With the victory, the Knights reached the 20-win plateau for the third consecutive season, and now after winning the conference championship are in line to increase that total in the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Championship.
Release provided by the Queens Sports Information Department.
