CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte women's basketball team rallied from a 19-point halftime deficit to hold a late lead, but Lenoir-Rhyne University escaped Curry Arena with a 65-64 victory on Thursday afternoon.
 
In the first half of play, Lenoir-Rhyne (9-9, 3-7 SAC) shot 75 percent from the floor and held a 14-10 advantage in total rebounds, while Queens (4-12, 1-9 SAC) struggled offensively but forced the Bears to commit 12 turnovers.
 
The Bears led by an 11-point margin following the first quarter and carried momentum into the second period, opening with a 14-7 run to build a 20-point lead before a three-pointer from senior Mendy McNeese halted the run. Lenoir-Rhyne held a 36-17 lead at intermission.
 
However, a 14-4 run began the second half for Queens as a layup from junior Lade Adepoju cut the deficit to single digits with just over six minutes to play in the third quarter. The Royals continued to chip away at the LR lead, taking a 41-40 lead three minutes later following back-to-back Adpeoju free throws.
 
Lenoir-Rhyne rallied to retake the lead and hold a four-point edge entering the final period, but consecutive Adepoju jumpers held Queens tied the score at 49-all with 6:36 left to play. Five consecutive points from freshman Caitlyn Moore helped put the Royals back in front at 54-52 as LR twice cut the deficit to one-point over a two-minute stretch.
 
Freshman Kristian Eanes converted an and-one with under a minute to play, putting her team ahead by four. A late free throw from Lenoir-Rhyne's Ashley Rodriguez brought the Bears within one as a timely offensive rebound and subsequent jumper from Madi Suddreth with six second remaining gave LR the lead. Lenoir-Rhyne secured the win by blocking Queens' final attempt of the game.
 
The Queens offense shot 64 percent from the floor in the second half, while the defense forced 12 more LR turnovers for a total of 24 in the game.
 
Adepoju led all players with 26 points to go along with eight rebounds and a career-high seven assists in 35 minutes of action. Moore followed with 15 points, while Eanes chipped in 11 points of her own. McNeese rounded out the double-digit scorers for Queens with 10 points off of the bench.
 
Queens three-game homestand concludes on Saturday, January 20 when the Royals host Tusculum College in the Levine Center at 2 p.m.