CHARLOTTE, N.C. – After falling to the Falcons (14-13 13-7 CC) twice during the regular season, the Royals of Queens University of Charlotte (14-13 12-8 CC) defeated Pfeiffer University 70-62 this evening in the 2011 Conference Carolinas Women's Basketball Tournament advancing to the semifinals. The win over the Falcons snaps their six game winning streak and ends their season.
Queens will travel to face top-seeded Barton College in round two of the tournament. The Bulldogs defeated Lees-McRae College 86-62 this evening.
The Royals opened the game commanding an early lead until Kellie Rhoney of the Falcons knocked down a three with 11:15 remaining in the first half to put Pfeiffer up one, 14-13. After a Melissa Thomas basket put Queens up three at the halfway point, Pfeiffer's Christina Harvey would convert a layup to put the Lady Falcons back up by one. With the score sitting at 32-27 and 2:48 left in the half, Erin Goldner scored a three-pointer and a pair of free throws making it a 32-all contest at the break.
Dyonna Battle put Queens up six 2:51 into the second half until Pfeiffer's Celeste Caudill knocked down two triples knotting the game up at 42. Caudill's triple and a pair of Rhoney free throws capped off a 10-0 Falcon run. The Royals had one final run left in them taking over the lead at 7:49 on a Thomas bucket. Shonice Pettaway immediately followed completing a three-point play shifting the momentum to Queens for the final seven minutes of play.
The Royals saw four players reach double figure scoring with the reigning conference player of the week Marissa Hudley leading the way scoring 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting. Hudley also collected nine rebounds. Shonice Pettaway and Melissa Thomas contributed 14 points apiece. Pettaway also led all players with a career high eight blocks. Erin Goldner scored 13 points, not missing a single basket shooting 100-percent from the floor and the line, and had six boards.
Leading the Falcons was Brittany Cox with 19 points and eight rebounds. Christina Harvey scored 18 points and grabbed eight boards. Celeste Caudill scored 11 points and collected seven rebounds.
The Royals will take on Barton College on Friday, March 4th at 7 pm. Queens is 0-2 against the Bulldogs this season. The Royals forced Barton into overtime in the last meeting falling 97-94.
