SALISBURY, N.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte women's basketball team battled with the University of Mount Olive this afternoon in the South Atlantic Conference/Conference Carolinas Challenge hosted by Catawba College today. Queens fell 68-60 to the Trojans, giving them a 0-2 start to the year. The Trojans move to 1-1 with the win.
 
McKell Oliverio led the Royals this afternoon with 21 points on 6-of-14 shooting. She also connected on 7-of-10 free-throws, and grabbed six boards. Carmen Richardson added 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting.
 
The Royals got off to a hot start today thanks to a bucket from Sarah Henson and a three-pointer from Oliverio. Despite a few ties following, Queens wouldn't allow the Trojans to take over the lead until a three-pointer from Kelly Funderburk put Mount Olive ahead by two, 8-6, with 5:20 to play. A five-point spurt from the Royals put the lead back in their hands, but two more lead changes would follow before the quarter ended with both teams tied at 17-17.
 
The second quarter played out much like the first, however, the Trojans led for most of the period. Oliverio closed the half sinking six straight shots from the charity stripe to keep things tied, 33-33, heading into the halftime break.
 
Out of the break, Mount Olive's Rachel Fehl connected on a fastbreak bucket to put the Trojans ahead. The Royals quickly responded with five straight to take a three-point lead, 38-35, with 8:44 to play. Unfortunately, the Trojans answered back with a 12-0 run to take control of the game for good. They would build their lead out to 13, 62-49, before the end of the quarter.
 
Mount Olive saw their largest lead of the day in the fourth when a pair of free-throws from Felecity Havens put them ahead by 14, 68-54, with 2:39 to play in regulation. The Royals scored the final six points of the game to cut the margin to eight, 68-60, before the final horn sounded.
 
Ni'Ya Styles and Haven led the Trojans with 15 points apiece. Havens also totaled 11 rebounds.
 
Queens will have their home opened on November 16 when they host Livingstone College in Curry Arena at 7 p.m.