Wingate, N.C.----Johnson C. Smith rallied from an eight-point second half deficit to take a 60-58 victory over Queens University of Charlotte Sunday afternoon in the 2008 Queen City Classic in Cuddy Arena. The annual event is hosted by Wingate University. Johnson C. Smith is 1-1 overall, while Queens falls to 0-2 overall.
Queens sophomore forward Marissa Hudley (Charlotte, N.C., Harding University ) led all scorers with 25 points. Hudley hit nine-of-17 field goals and two-of-four from long distance. Royals junior guard Ashley McGuirt (Indian Trail, N.C., Providence Day) added 11 points for Queens.
For Johnson C. Smith, junior guard Wendy Stywalt (Charlotte, N.C.) led the Golden Bulls with 14 points. Freshman guard Terran Quattlebaum (Mitchellville, Md.) added 11 points, while senior guard Janai Jackson (Bowie, Md.) contributed 10 points for the Golden Bulls.
Queens led 49-41 on two free throws by sophomore forward Jazmine Edmonds (Manassas, Va., CD Hylton) with 10:20 to play in the contest. The Golden Bulls rallied, putting together a 9-1 run to tie the game at 50-50 on a Quattlebaum jumper at the 6:38 mark.
The Royals answered with a three-pointer by Hudley at the five-minute mark to regain the lead. Queens kept the advantage until late in the contest. The Golden Bulls cut the lead to one on two occasions. A Stywalt free throw cut the Queens edge to 58-57 with 2:19 remaining.
Queens made a turnover on its next possession, opening the door for Johnson C. Smith. Stywalt was involved in the game-winning play, as she fed junior forward Demetria Bell (Indianapolis, Ind.) for an inside hoop at the 1:37 mark. The Bell hoop gave JCSU a 59-58 edge. The 1:37 lead change was the only lead change in the second half.
The Royals had three shots in the waning moments, but could not get one to fall. Queens shot 39.2 percent for the game (20-of-51), while Johnson C. Smith hit 40.8 percent (20-of-49). The Royals hit five three-pointers to three triples for the Golden Bulldogs. Queens outrebounded JCSU 38-33, thanks to nine rebounds by Hudley. Stywalt had eight boards for the Golden Bulls, while Bell pulled down six rebounds.
The Royals are back in action on Thursday, November 20th against North Greenville University. This will be the home opener for the Royals. Tip off is at 5:30pm in Ovens Athletic Center.
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