SPARTANBURG, SC-- The Royals held on for another conference win Saturday afternoon as they defeated Converse, 72-64, in Hannah Gym. Alternating wins and losses over their last nine games -- Saturday's win improves Queens' record to 11-6 (12-10 overall) and into a four-way tie for fourth in the Conference Carolinas standings. The loss drops the Valkyries to 4-13 on the season (4-18).
 
Queens went up 40-25 in the first half, shooting 34% from the field including 30% from the charity stripe. Converse wasn't far off, hitting 20% from three point range and 33% overall. The Royals gained an advantage hitting 13-of-14 shots from the charity stripe opposed to Converse's six-of-nine.

The Valkyries rallied back in the second period, shooting an improved 45% in the paint compared to Queen's 33%. Converse nailed eight-of-10 free throw attempts to improve to 80% in the second half, while Queens continued to work, sinking 13-of-15 free throw attempts.

Ashley McGuirt (Indian Trail, N.C., Providence Day) led Queens in scoring, 13 points, while Cecilia Tchangoue (St. Jean Le Blanc, France, Forsyth Country Day) and Dyonna Battle (Rocky Mount, N.C., Rocky Mount) chipped in 10 more points apiece.

McGuirt is currently second in 3-point percentage and fourth in made 3-pointers in the conference, hitting 39.3% with 46 made.

For the Valkyires, freshman Katie Vaughn scored a game high 15 points and grabbed six steals for the Valkyries while senior Ashley Arff chipped in 10 more points and pulled down 5 rebounds against the Royals. Ashley Day and Jessica McMahan added seven more points apiece.

Queens' next game will be a 5:30 p.m. tip at Ovens Athletic Center on Monday, February 15th against conference rival Anderson University