Box Score CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Junior forwards Shonice Pettaway (Walstonburg, N.C., Greene Central) and Sarah Myatt (Show Camp, N.C., Southern Alamance) led the Royals to a 65-55 win over Lees-McRae College this evening opening up Conference Carolinas action at 1-0. The Bobcats begin their season at 0-1.
 
Queens University of Charlotte's towering post scored a combined total of 25 points to lead the Royals. Leading under the glass was freshman guard Tia Hudgins (Rocky Mount, N.C., Rocky Mount) who snatched down nine boards. Pettaway followed with eight rebounds, while Lacey Singletary (Burlington, N.C., Oak Ridge) and Myatt grabbed six apiece. Singletary finished the game with nine points.
 
Both teams struggled getting started on the offensive end in the first half of play, but Queens was able to build their lead with 17 points off of the Bobcats' 21 turnovers. Queens saw its largest lead when Dyonna Battle (Rocky Mount, N.C., Rocky Mount) knocked down a pair of free-throws at 6:12 giving the Royals a 16-point advantage. At the half, the Royals led 31-20.
 
In the second, the Bobcats were able to cut back on turnovers and slowly chipped away at Queens' lead getting to within nine, 54-45, on a jumper from Zukye Smith with 6:57 remaining in the game. However, three buckets in a row from the Royals would put the home team back up 16. The Bobcats would make a final push in the closing minutes, but only got within 10 of Queens as time ticked off the clock.
 
Queens finished the game with 20 total steals to score 20 points off of turnovers. The Bobcats edged the Royals in rebounds 53-52.
 
Lees-McRae was led by Alyssa Munson and Candace Flowers who each scored 16 points, while Ice Patterson added 11. Kerri Belcher and Smith grabbed 10 rebounds apiece.
 
The Royals will be on the road for their next game on Monday at UNC-Pembroke at 6 p.m.