Box Score SALISBURY, N.C. –    Sophomore forward Shonice Pettaway (Walstonburg, N.C., Greene Central) led the Royals this afternoon with 20 points and 18 rebounds as Queens University of Charlotte was edged 68-66 in a hard-fought battle with the Blue Bears of Livingstone College at New Trent Gymnasium. The Royals record drops to 2-7 on the year, while Livingstone improves to 4-6.

Pettaway also had four assists, four blocks and three steals. Melissa Thomas (Havelock, N.C., Havelock) and Shanel Sweet (Land O'Lakes, Fla., Land O' Lakes) added 12 and 11 points, respectively. Thomas also collected six steals, while Sweet dished out four assists.

Sophie Lepzem led the Blue Bears with 20 points and six rebounds, all of which came in 24 minutes. Montiya Harrison also added 17 points while Jasmine Murray contributed 14. Rashida Elbourne led the team in rebounds with seven.

Queens controlled most of the first half building as much as a six point lead on a number of occasions before the Blue Bears came on strong taking the lead with just over five minutes left before the break. At the 7:03 mark, the Royals held a six point advantage before Livingstone's 11-1 run gave them a 27-23. A bucket by Pettaway with 28-seconds on the clock allowed the Royals to head into the locker room down 31-30.

Queens grabbed the first three points of the second half to take a two point edge, but the Blue Bears battled back in a big way, going on a 14-2 run to take a commanding 45-35 lead with 15:40 remaining. The Royals were far from down and out as they got within three on a 7-0 spurt, but Livingstone put together another run to go up by 14 points with 6:22 left in regulation.

Despite the deficit, Queens had some juice left as they went on an 18-4 run and tied the game at 65 with 1:04 remaining.  Thomas knocked down two free-throws for the tie. In the final minute, Queens was unable to hit a shot from the field and the Blue Bears hit just enough free throws to take the 68-66 victory.

The Royals will open conference play on January 3 against Barton College at 5:30 p.m. The game will take place at the Grady Cole Center.