Box Score CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte women's basketball team defeated Mars Hill University 70-57 this afternoon in Curry Arena. The win helps the Royals (4-6) improve their conference record to 3-3. The Lions drop to 2-8 on the year and 1-5 in the South Atlantic Conference.
 
Sophomore guard Nikia Squire led Queens in scoring with 28 points on 11-16 shooting. Squire also collected six steals, three rebounds and three assists. Senior forward Shonice Pettaway added 23 points after shooting 9-18 from the floor. She also grabbed 13 rebounds to record her first double-double of the season. Sophomore forward Tia Hudgins totaled eight rebounds and six points.
 
After trading baskets with the Lions in the opening minutes of action, the Royals were able to create some space taking a 23-12 lead with 9:58 to play following three consecutive three-pointers from Pettaway.  The Lions were able to cut Queens' lead down to three just before the final media timeout of the half, but the Royals would turn up the defensive pressure out of the break forcing back-to-back turnovers and extending their lead back out to eight, 32-24, with 2:42 to play.
 
At the half, Queens led 34-27 on the back of 19 points from Pettaway.
 
The Royals would come out of the locker room with the momentum, putting the Lions away early with a 14-1 run that extended their lead out to 20, 48-28, by the first media timeout at 15:45. Mars Hill tried to get back into the game, closing the gap to 11 points on a few occasions with less than six minutes to play, but the deficit proved to be too much to overcome in the final minutes of action.
 
Squire would have the hot hand for Queens in the second, scoring 22 of her 28 points during the half.
 
Queens totaled a season high 13 steals in today's win.
 
Ansley Ricker led the Lions today with 20 points, while Kelsey Espinosa scored nine points and Autumn Ward chipped in with eight points.
 
Queens returns to the court on January 8 at Coker College. Tip-off is at 6 p.m.