Box Score MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte women's basketball team travelled to take on conference opponent Mount Olive tonight. The Royals were able to take control of the game early and built a 15 point lead in the first half, but were unable to maintain their play in the second half and dropped the game by the score of 58-55.

The Royals started the game hot and built an early 11 point lead with a three pointer by Melissa Thomas (Havelock, N.C., Havelock)  The Trojans showed their ability to rally early and narrowed the Queens lead to three before the Royals caught fire on offense once again. Behind the offense of Shonice Pettaway (Walstonburg, N.C., Greene Central) and Dyonna Battle (Rocky Mount, N.C., Rocky Mount) the Royals ended the half in control at 33-22.

The Royals came out of halftime looking to continue to build on the lead but met a strong Mount Olive team that was determined to chip away at the Royals' lead. Unable to rediscover their potent offense the Royals went over six minutes without scoring before the Trojans tied the game with 6:24 to go.

From that point both teams were neck-and-neck and with Queens drawing the Mount Olive lead to just one point with 18 seconds left in the game.  Unable to steal the inbounds pass the Royals were forced to foul and the Trojans made both free throws to give them a three point victory.

Pettaway led all players with 19 points and added eight boards with Battle chipping in with 14 points. The Royals play next when they travel to Lees-McRae on January 12.