CHARLOTTE, N.C.- After trailing by seven at the half, Queens University of Charlotte women's basketball rebounded to defeat Lees-McRae College 78-76 for the first win of the season.
The Royals (1-3/1-0 Conference Carolinas) held a five point lead with 13:05 to play in the first half. From there, the teams traded baskets until Lees-McRae (2-3/0-1 CC) extended the lead to seven with a basket and a free throw from Chahkia Harrison and a second freebie from Ashley Holland.
The tide took some time to turn in favor of the Royals during the second stanza. Trailing by 13 with 8:40 to play, Queens sank four consecutive free throws, two by Marissa Hudley (Charlotte, N.C., Harding University )and two from Jacquia Winstead (Elm City, N.C., Beddingfield), to cut the lead down to nine. A true team effort helped chip away at the nine point lead and get the Royals within two with 2:50 left on the clock.
Free throws again by Hudley and Winstead played a factor, cutting the lead to one and then giving Queens a one point advantage with 36 seconds left. Hudley sank her next two free throws for a three point lead while Allison Williams (Rougemont, N.C., Northern Durham) sealed the deal with two more baskets from the line.
“We fought hard and came from behind to beat a very goof Lees-McRae team,” said Head Coach Trudi Lacey. “We showed tremendous character and a will to win and hopefully that gives us momentum going into conference play.”
Queens recorded its season best free throw percentage, 61.9, and total field goal percentage, 45.6, in the conference win. On the glass, the Royals pulled down 45 board while limiting Lees-McRae to 29.
Hudley continues to lead the Royals offense, scoring 29 points. She also contributed nine rebounds. Winstead scored 12 and grabbed seven boards while William was just one point behind with 11 and also had seven rebounds.
For the visitors, Courtney Furr led the team with 18 points, half coming from three-point baskets. Renee Roberson and Holland each contributed 12.
Queens faces Catawba College at home on Monday night at 5:30pm.
