SPARTANBURG, S.C.- Queens University of Charlotte traveled down to Spartanburg, S.C., to take on Converse College this evening in what was the first Conference Carolinas game of the season for the Royals. Queens was victorious defeating the Valkyries 71-56.
“It's great to get our first conference win on the road and have everyone contribute,” said Head Coach Cheryl Nix.
Every Royal saw time in tonight's win. Marissa Hudley (Charlotte, N.C., Harding University ) led all scorers with 17 points on 50 percent shooting to go along with six rebounds. Shakaria Hamlin (Hartsville, S.C., Hartsville) scored 13 points and also grabbed six rebounds. Freshman Shonice Pettaway (Walstonburg, N.C., Greene Central) was the third leading scorer for Queens getting 10 points and collecting five boards. Dyonna Battle (Rocky Mount, N.C., Rocky Mount) and Jazmine Edmonds (Manassas, Va., CD Hylton) each chipped in eight apiece.
“The tough games we've played over the past couple of weeks have been preparing us along the way and have made us stronger,” stressed Nix.
Strong is exactly how the Royals came out to play on the offensive end keeping a healthy lead throughout the first half; a half that saw a 9-0 run in route to a 20 point margin in favor of Queens with 9:30 on the clock.
Queens didn't let up on the defensive end getting multiple stops and stretching the gap out even further. Melissa Thomas (Havelock, N.C., Havelock) scored a lay-up at 3:51 after stealing the ball for the Royals' largest lead of the half at 25, 42-17.
The Valkyries would step up their offensive play to chip away at the deficit going in to the break down by 15, 42-27.
The Royals held on to their 15 point cushion, give or take a few, for over half of the second period before Converse made a run. With Queens sitting at 59 points, the Valkyries netted eight unanswered points bringing them within seven of the Royals.
A pair of fouls committed by Converse leading Erin Goldner (Matthews, N.C., Piedmont) and Hamlin to knock down two free-throws each would help the Royals keep control the game.
The clock proved to be on Queens' side as lack of time forced Converse to foul in order to stop play putting Queens on the line yet again. The Royals went 4-6 in the final two minutes to clinch the 15 point victory, 71-56.
Leading Converse was Katy Vaughn with 14 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Deondria Terrell recorded 10 points. Morgan Sacharski led her team under the basket with eight boards.
Queens is back in action on Saturday when they travel to Hartsville, S.C., to take on the Coker College Cobras. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.
