FLUSHING, N.Y. – Despite one of its best performances of the season, the LIU Post men's basketball team suffered a narrow 67-62 setback at Queens College on Saturday, Dec. 8 inside Fitzgerald Gymnasium.
 
The Pioneers came out strong during the first half, shooting 43-percent (13-30) from the field behind a 7-of-12 effort from sophomore Alonzo Ortiz-Traylor who dropped in 18 points during the period. It was a tight battle throughout the opening 20 minutes, with the Pioneers taking the game's largest lead at five points (14-9) when sophomore Jackson Jordan knocked down a three-point field goal at the 11:20 mark of the half. Late buckets by freshman Nah'Jel Sands and Ortiz-Traylor helped the Green and Gold take its first halftime lead of the season, 31-29.
 
Ortiz-Traylor came out of the locker room still feeling it from the first half and knocked down two triples to spark an 8-0 run to begin the second stanza, giving the Pioneers a 39-29 lead with 13:53 remaining. After trading buckets, Sands hit one of two free throws to push the LIU Post lead back up to double figures at 46-36 midway through the half. A quick five-point burst by the Knights halted momentum for the Pioneers before Ortiz-Traylor hit a pull-up jumper from the left elbow to make it 48-41.
 
A 14-2 burst by Queens gave the Knights a one-point advantage, 55-50 with six minutes to play in what proved to be the difference in Saturday's contest. Ortiz-Traylor tipped in a rebound for his 30th point and freshman Seth Goumba made two deep three-pointers late but it was not enough as Queens overcame a 10-point deficit during the second half to earn the win.
 
Ortiz-Traylor led the Pioneers with 30 points, eight rebounds and four blocks. Freshman Kendell Ogilvie added 10 points on 4-of-11 shooting while also pulling down seven rebounds.
 
The Pioneers return to action inside the Pratt Recreation Center on Friday, Dec. 14 when they host Daemen College at 7:00 p.m.