CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Led by a defense that held Mars Hill University to just 32.6% shooting from the floor and forced 29 total turnovers, the Queens University of Charlotte women's basketball team picked up a crucial South Atlantic Conference win on Saturday. The Royals outscored the Lions 73-39 on Pride Day to remain in the playoff hunt.
 
Queens (4-12, 3-7 SAC) held a 37-31 edge in total rebounds and had two players score in double figures led by Kristian Eanes' 17-point, 4-steal performance. Junior Julia Raflund registered her second straight double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Kelsey Leedle and Caitlyn Moore finished with nine and eight points, respectively.
 
The Royals opened the game with a basket from Raflund and led by an eight-point margin, 10-2, following a layup from Moore with 5:58 to play in the first quarter. After Mars Hill (2-14, 0-10 SAC) evened score at 10-all, the Royals closed the first period with six-unanswered points and carried momentum into the second quarter as a 3-pointer from Leedle gave the Royals a double-digit lead, 26-14, midway through the frame.
 
Queens held a 14-point edge at intermission and continued to extend its lead to as large as 36 points, 73-37, on back-to-back made free throws from senior Madison Sexton late in the final quarter.
 
Up next for Queens in a road contest with regionally-ranked Wingate University on Wednesday, January 22 in Wingate, N.C. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.