CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte women's basketball team registered its first South Atlantic Conference win of the season, defeating Lenoir-Rhyne University 72-57 on Saturday afternoon inside Curry Arena.
 
The Royals (2-6, 1-1 SAC) shot a season-best 47.8 percent from the floor and committed just six turnovers. The Queens defense held Lenoir-Rhyne (2-5, 0-2 SAC) in check offensively, as the Bears shot just 29.3 percent in the game and forcing 19 turnovers. Queens held reigning SAC Player of the Week Madeline Hardy at bay, giving up just eight points and four rebounds to the sophomore who came into the game averaging more than 18 points and nine rebounds per game.
 
Lenoir-Rhyne led 31-26 after the opening two quarters of play and extended its lead to a seven-point margin early in the third quarter. However, a 10- run by the Royals put the home team in front 36-33 with 6:43 to play in the third period.
 
A layup by junior Julia Raflund gave Queens its biggest lead of the third quarter at 48-39 as the team led by six with one quarter remaining.
 
The Bears closed the gap to a three-point deficit before the Royals took control and built a lead of 65-51 following back-to-back layups from redshirt-freshman Taylor Stevens. Stevens finished the game with seven points and a career-high nine rebounds. Queens closed out the contest making 3-of-5 free throws down the stretch to keep the lead intact.
 
Junior Kristian Eanes tied her career-high of 24 points, making 12-of-14 shot attempts from the floor and totaling five steals on defense. Raflund finished with a season-high 16 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks, while sophomore Jaymi Golden totaled 14 points and dished out a career-high nine assists.
 
Queens has a week away from competition before heading North to Harrogate, Tennessee for a Saturday matchup with Lincoln Memorial University on December 7 at 2 p.m.