CHARLOTTE, N.C.- The Royals women's basketball team used a nine point first half lead to defeat Catawba College 69-63 in non-conference action tonight at the Ovens Athletics Center. The win is the second of the season for Queens University of Charlotte, 2-3 overall/ 1-0 Conference Carolinas, and is Catawba's third loss, 4-3 overall/.
The difference in the first half was the strong rebounding by Queens, both offensively and defensively. The Royals pulled down 26 boards and limited the Indians to 11. Turnovers also played a large factor in the first half as Queens was able to convert 10 visitor turnovers into 10 points. The Royals did commit 15 turnovers, but only allowed eight points from them.
Jacquia Winstead (Elm City, N.C., Beddingfield) scored the go ahead basket at the 18:05 mark of the first stanza and the Royals did not slow down from there. The team held a lead of as many as 11 points throughout the half and went into the locker room up nine, 34-25.
This was just the second time this season Queens has held a lead at the break. The other contest was against J.C. Smith and the Royals led by four, 27-23. Queens ended up falling to eh Golden Bulls 60-58.
The Queens offense continued to roll in the second half, opening up the largest lead, 14, at the 12:25 mark. Three consecutive baskets by Catawba's Brooke Whitley, one three pointer and two two's, put the Indians within three points with enough time on the clock for them to catch up, 8:09.
Queens opened the lead back up to nine, but the Indian offense wouldn't let up. Again, the visitors pulled within three as the clock read 4:43.
Starting with a Winstead field goal, the Royals went on a 7-0 run to put the lead back out to 10. Queens sank key free throws, making eight of 10, in the last 90 seconds to keep the Indians at bay. In that same time, Catawba sank four three-pointers on seven attempts keeping the game interesting right down to the final buzzer.
“I am very proud of our team's effort,” said head coach Trudi Lacey. “We played well as a team and it was a hard fought victory.”
Winstead and Marissa Hudley tallied the season's first double-doubles. Hudley led the team with 20 points while pulling down 10 boards. Winstead recorded the game-high rebounds, 11, and scored 14 points. Two other players scored in double-digits for Queens, Alison Williams, 10, and Erin Goldner, 10.
Queens recorded 47 rebounds, ties the season high, and shot 68% from the free throw line, the season best.
Pamela Muldrow scored 22, the game-high, for the visitors. Whitley was just one rebound shy of a double-double with 14 points and nine rebounds.
Queens will return to Conference Carolinas action on Thursday as they travel to Erskine College for a 5:30pm start.
