CHARLOTTE, N.C.- A strong second half by Queens University of Charlotte women's basketball team lifted the Royals over Saint Andrews Presbyterian College 84-65 in Conference Carolinas action. The win is an important one for the Royals, who have secured the No.4 seed and a first-round bye for the Conference Carolinas tournament which starts on March 1.

The first half saw five lead changes and four ties with Queens (15-12/14-8 CC) holding the largest lead of the half, seven, with 8:49 to play. The Knights (1-25/0-22 CC) tied the contest and took the lead with free throws in the last minute of play, but Queens evened the score at 38 all with a field goal from Erin Goldner (Matthews, N.C., Piedmont) in the remaining eight seconds of play.

The tough visitor play was the jolt Queens needed. Marissa Hudley (Charlotte, N.C., Harding University ) scored the opening basket of the half, two of her 16 second half points, to give Queens the two point lead, 40-38.

The Knights stuck around with the Royals for the first nine minutes of the half, keeping with within 10. Jessica Lewis (Hampton, Va., Bethel) hit a field goal to give Queens an 11 point advantage with 11 minutes to play, 59-48.

Queens slowly added on to the lead and by the final buzzer opened the margin up to 19, 84-65.

Hudley led all scorers with 28. She pulled down seven boards, the second most in the contest. Shakaria Hamlin (Hartsville, S.C., Hartsville) scored 14, 12 in the second half alone. Goldner was the last player for the Royals to score in double figures, 11.

St. Andrews had two players with 17, Jaquese Smith and Septembra LeSane, and two with 11, Allison and Brittany Roberts.

Queens will host the winner of the No. 5, Anderson, vs. No. 12, St. Andrews, game on Tuesday, March 3, at 7pm. Anderson host St. Andrews on Sunday in Anderson at 7pm.