NEWBERRY, S.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte women's basketball team put a scare into the 25^th-ranked Newberry Wolves on Wednesday night before falling 89-82 inside Eleazar Arena.
 
The Royals (5-7, 0-6 SAC) were without two key rotation players, but managed to keep the game close by shooting 46.3 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from deep while forcing 22 turnovers on defense.
 
Queens got a career-high 20 points from senior Ceara Leavai who made 7-of-11 shots from the floor, including a 6-for-10 performance from three-point range. Freshman Jaymi Golden followed with 19 points of her own to go along with five assists in her first career start, while sophomore Herning Wang also tallied a career-high, scoring 16 points on 7-of-15 shooting.
 
After Queens opened the game with six unanswered points, Newberry (11-1, 5-0 SAC) responded with an offensive outburst to gain a 24-16 advantage. The Royals outscored the Wolves 20-17 in the second to cut the deficit to a five-point margin heading to intermission.
 
Newberry opened the second half with back-to-back baskets from Meg Essex, who finished the game with 27 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks to lead all players, as the Wolves extended their lead to seven points after three quarters of play.
 
In the fourth and final period, Queens continue to keep the game close and eventually took a two-point lead with 7:06 to play on a Leavai three-pointer. Another Essex basket tied the score at 65-all and sparked a 26-17 run for the Wolves over the final 6:52 to seal the win for Newberry.
 
Queens' senior Lade Adepoju chipped in 15 points and nine rebounds to narrowly miss a double-double, while sophomore Kristian Eanes registered 10 points to complete the double-digit scorers for the Royals.
 
The Royals continue South Atlantic Conference play on Saturday, January 12 when the team hosts Carson-Newman University in the Levine Center at 2 p.m.