HARTSVILLE, S.C.- The Queens University of Charlotte Royals delivered a spectacular defensive performance this evening holding their opponent, Coker College, to just 44 total points in the 82-44 victory. The 44 points scored by the Cobras was the lowest for any of Queens' opponents this season. It also marked the largest marginal triumph for the Royals.
The Royals remain undefeated in Conference Carolinas Action at 2-0 (3-3 overall), while the Cobras are still in search of their first win at 0-7.
“I liked the effort from beginning to end tonight,” said Head Coach Cheryl Nix. “I'm really proud of our players' focus for forty minutes executing the game plan.”
Shonice Pettaway (Walstonburg, N.C., Greene Central) was one of two Queens players to record a double-double in this evening's contest scoring a career and game high 27 points and snatching down 13 boards. Marissa Hudley (Charlotte, N.C., Harding University ) netted 18 points to go along with 10 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season. Melissa Thomas (Havelock, N.C., Havelock) and Dyonna Battle (Rocky Mount, N.C., Rocky Mount) contributed nine points each to the win.
Leading Coker was Shanice Cooper with 13 points and five rebounds. Jasmine Alston notched 11 points in the loss.
The Royals' defense forced 28 turnovers converting them into 29 points. That, along with 18 second chance points made all the difference in the game for the visiting team. Along with that, Queens shot 52.5 percent from the floor (66.7% from behind the three-point line) and 80 percent from the line.
Queens jumped out to an early 13-5 lead to start the game, but the Cobras battled their way back to a four point deficit 26-22 with 7:30 left in the first half. Fortunately, that would be as close as Queens would allow Coker to get for the remainder of the game. The Royals reeled off19 points to Coker's two giving themselves a sizable 21 point lead that would hold heading into halftime.
The second half was much of the same, as Queens continued to pour on the offensive pressure, gaining as much as a 40 point lead at one point during the final 20 minutes of play.
The Royals will wrap up play before the holidays against Shaw University on Tuesday, December 7th in a game slated to begin at 6:00 p.m.
