CHARLOTTE, N.C.- Queens University of Charlotte had a tough second half offensively leading to a 69-52 loss against Francis Marion University in tonight's non-conference game at Ovens Athletic Center. The Royals fell to 3-5 on the season and the Patriots improved to 7-2 overall.
This evening's game marked the first contest after Queens' holiday break. It was also the final non-conference game before the Royals dive in to Conference Carolinas action.
The first half of the game showcased a number of turnovers by each team totaling 28. Queens converted those turnovers into 13 points while the Patriots scored 22 points off of the Royals' turnovers. The Royals were the better shooters of the half going 12-for-27 from the floor, 44.4%. Shakaria Hamlin (Hartsville, S.C., Hartsville) led Queens at the half with seven points as they went in to the break trailing by two, 30-28.
After the break, the Royals couldn't find the offensive rhythm they possessed in the first half shooting 29% from the field. The Patriots took advantage piecing together a 12-4 spurt to lead 51-39 midway through the half. Francis Marion's largest lead came at 69-50 on a layup by Simone Trice with 2:32 left.
Queens was able to keep the Patriots from scoring a single three-pointer this evening. Francis Marion was 0-for-5 from behind the three-point arc, marking the first time the Patriots had failed to connect on a three-pointer in 211 games.
Hamlin led the Royals with nine points. Jessica Lewis (Hampton, Va., Bethel) scored eight points, grabbed six rebounds, and notched seven assists. Shonice Pettaway (Walstonburg, N.C., Greene Central) also scored eight points. Marissa Hudley (Charlotte, N.C., Harding University ) netted seven points to go along with her nine rebounds.
Shannon Singleton-Bates of the Patriots scored a game-high 16 points. Trice scored 12 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for her first career double-double. T.T. Belcher chipped in 11 points and grabbed nine rebounds while Courtney Mealing added 14 points.
The Royals are back in action on Monday, January 3rd against Erskine College at 5:30 p.m.
