Box Score CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte women's basketball team hosted Wingate University in Curry Arena this evening falling 54-46 to the Bulldogs. The loss brings the Royals' overall record to 5-17, while their South Atlantic Conference record drops to 4-14. Wingate improves to 14-4 in the SAC and 18-4 on the season.
 
Sophomore guard Nikia Squire led the Royals with 15 points, while Tia Hudgins and Abby Pettit each scored eight points. Queens' leading scorer Shonice Pettaway was held to just three points. Squire also pulled down nine rebounds, while Lacey Singletary grabbed eight boards and blocked five shots. Pettaway also totaled six rebounds, two steals and two blocks.
 
The Royals got off to a good start finding themselves holding a 17-11 lead at the midway point of the half. They continued to lead until a jumper from Wingate's Kayla Harris at 5:59 put the visiting Bulldogs on top by one, 22-21. By the half, Wingate had built their lead out to six, 34-28.
 
Queens shot 40 percent from the floor in the opening half, but couldn't connect on any of their three-point attempts. The Bulldogs shot 44.4 percent from the three and nearly 86 percent from the foul line.
 
Both teams struggled to knock down baskets in the second half with the Royals scoring first on a layup from Pettit at 16:43. The Royals would get to within three of the Bulldogs just under three minutes later, but a three-pointer and pair of free-throws from Wingate's Janitsha Williams gave the visitors their largest lead of the game with 13:12 to play. Queens would cut Wingate's lead down to three two more times but that's as close as the Bulldogs would allow as they escaped Curry Arena with the win.
 
The Royals shot just 25.9 percent from the floor in the second half, while Wingate shot just 23.3 percent.
 
Queens outscored the Bulldogs 20-12 in the paint, but allowed 17 points to be scored off of their 19 turnovers.
 
Williams led the Bulldogs with 18 points, while Harris scored 16 points. Amber Neely added 10 points.
 
The Royals are on the road at Newberry College on Wednesday at 6 p.m.