CHARLOTTE, N.C.- Shakaria Hamlin (Hartsville, S.C., Hartsville) scored 15 points and recorded eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals in the Royals' loss tonight to Johnson C. Smith University. Queens University of Charlotte fell 61-54 in tonight's game against the Golden Bulls, which marked the second time the teams had seen each other in this early season. The Golden Bulls won the first game by a similar score of 62-54.
Also leading the Royals (1-3) was Jessica Lewis (Hampton, Va., Bethel) who netted 12 points. Shonice Pettaway (Walstonburg, N.C., Greene Central) scored a career high seven points while Marissa Hudley (Charlotte, N.C., Harding University ) chipped in six to go along with her eight rebounds.
The Golden Bulls (5-0) were led by LaQwesha Gamble's double-double, 15 points and 12 rebounds. Shavonda Price grabbed six rebounds in addition to scoring 10 points. Shakeena Cunningham completed a well-rounded game with nine points, six rebounds, and five assists.
The Royals struggled scoring early in the game getting stalled at seven points as the Golden Bulls went on a 10-0 run making the score 21-7 with 8:26 on the clock. Sarah Myatt (Burlington, N.C., Alamance) broke the scoring drought with a free-throw around the eight minute mark. Queens used the rest of the time in the half to work their way back in to the game making the score 29-21 going in to the break.
The second half began much like the end of the first with Queens continuing to chip away at the home team's lead. A jumper by Lewis at 14:05 brought the Royals to within four of the Golden Bulls. Fouls would plague Queens in their come-back attempt throughout the second half sending the Golden Bulls to the free-throw line helping them control the game.
The Royals had a final surge around the 6:30 mark when Hudley scored a fast-break jumper in the paint putting Queens down by three, 55-52. Two free-throws by Price of the Golden Bulls would put them back up by five. A minute later, Pettaway stepped up to the line knocking down two clutch shots to bring the Royals back within three, 57-54. Pettaway's points were the last of the game for Queens as Johnson C. Smith stretched their lead out at the charity stripe.
Queens has a one day turnaround time before traveling to Spartanburg, S.C., to face Converse College in their first conference game of the season. Thursday's game is set to begin at 5:30 p.m.
