CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Queens University of Charlotte played host to Limestone College this evening at Ovens Athletic Center beating the Saints 60-43. The Royals improve to 6-3(7-8 overall) in Conference Carolinas women's basketball action maintaining sole possession of the third place spot. Limestone falls to 4-4 (8-6 overall) and sits in fifth.
Leading all scorers this evening was Marissa Hudley (Charlotte, N.C., Harding University ) of the Royals with 18 points. Hudley also collected five rebounds. Jessica Lewis (Hampton, Va., Bethel) played a complete game with13 points, eight boards, six assists, three steals, and one block. Shakaria Hamlin (Hartsville, S.C., Hartsville) also netted 13 points, while Dyonna Battle (Rocky Mount, N.C., Rocky Mount) scored eight.
Jazmine Edmonds (Manassas, Va., CD Hylton) scored a pair of lay-ups in the first minutes helping the Royals jump out to a 6-0 lead. Edmonds' baskets were followed by three consecutive field goals by Hudley giving the Royals a 12-2 lead over the Saints.
Queens continued finding ways to score as the Saints struggled from the floor shooting 22.7 percent. Hudley scored a lay-up at the 3:30 mark giving Queens its largest lead of the half, 25. The Royals entered the break with a 22 point lead, 35-13.
The Royals dominated the paint in the first stanza scoring 20 points to Limestone's 10. Queens also converted the Saints' turnovers in to 12 points.
Limestone switched up the game plan in the second half playing in a zone on the defensive end. As the Royals struggled to score a field goal in period two, Limestone seemed to find some offense going on a 5-0 run. Hudley would put the Royals' first points of the half on the board at 16:11 with two free-throws. Queens didn't score a field goal until Edmonds scored an easy two with 15:24 on the clock.
A lay-up by Kaileigh West of the Saints brought Limestone to within 12 points of the Royals. However, the Royals turned up the defensive pressure forcing turnovers, and attacked the basket leading to opportunities to knock down free-throws. Lewis also played a role in nixing the Saints come back sparking an 8-2 run for the Royals pushing the lead back to 19 just before the final minutes of the game.
The Royals shot and impressive 92.3 percent from the foul line on 12-of-13 shooting. Queens also controlled the boards collecting 36 to Limestone's 31.
Natashia Mitchell was the only member of the Saints to reach double figure scoring this evening netting 10 points. West and Ashley Robinson each scored eight.
The Royals are back on the road for their next game as they will travel to face Mount Olive College (7-1, 10-4) who is ranked second in Conference Carolinas. The game is slated to begin at 5:30 p.m., on January 26th.
