CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte women's basketball team hosted their first home game of the year against Livingstone on Wednesday, November 16, 2016. The Royals forced the game into overtime against the Blue Bears who took the win 63-54.  
 
Although the team had a slow start trailing by 11 in the first quarter, the second quarter brought speed as the Royals chipped away at the Blue Bears' hold on the game.  Back-to-back baskets by Maggie Stewart brought the team within five at 22-17. McKell Oliverio followed with two more baskets to make it a two point game at 22-20. Thriving under the pressure, Victoria Robinson gave the team the tying basket with just two minutes left to play in the half. Strong defense on both sides kept the score held the score at 25-25; however, Livingstone's Shannon Buchannan broke the dry spell with a jumper to make it a 27-25 lead heading into the break.
 
Coming out of the half, Livingstone knocked down two baskets but the Royals were there to respond with two of their own by Stewart.  Queens continued to provide pressure on Livingstone eventually pulling within one at the end of the quarter as Carmen Richardson made both of her free-throws. The game went back and forth with the Royals fighting to secure the game. With nine seconds left to play, Oliverio found a steal to sprint her way down the court. The ball would find its way into Richardson's hands who took battled her way to the basket, drawing the foul. She went on to make one forcing the tie late in the game and bringing the matchup into overtime.
 
With momentum, Queens found their first lead in the game coming at 48-46 as Richardson made a shot under the basket. However, the Blue Bears switch the flow of the game forcing their way into a 59-52 score with two minutes remaining. They would go on to claim the game after putting up 17 points to the Royals five in extra play.
 
Richardson led the team with 16 points and nine rebounds. Both Steward and Oliverio tallied 10 points as Stewart added seven rebounds to her night while Oliverio added six.
 
The Blue Bears were led by Zena Lovetta who saw 16 points and eight steals. Brittany Taylor followed with 15 points in addition to Ari DeJesus adding another 13 points to cap the night.
 
The Royals will head to Claflin on Saturday, November 19^th for a 1:30 p.m., game.