WISE, VA. – The Queens University of Charlotte women's basketball team returned to action on Saturday afternoon, falling to the Cavaliers of UVa-Wise by a score of 78-59 inside the Prior Center in the first-ever matchup between the two schools.
 
The Royals (3-9, 2-4 SAC) had no answer for the inside presence of the Cavaliers (7-5, 3-3 SAC) as Wise outrebounded Queens 44-33 in the game and received 31 bench points from its reserves. Queens held one of the League's top players in check as Wise's Cynita Webb finished with just 10 points, but reserve Nia Vanzant broke through for a career-high 23 points to lead all players.
 
Both sides got off to a slow starting, combining for just 14 points in the game's opening quarter. However, the Cavaliers went on a 16-5 run across the first five minutes of the second quarter to open a 13-point lead, 24-11, when Kalee Johnson complete a three-point play.
 
Wise carried a 12-point advantage, 37-25, into the halftime break and extended the lead to as large as a 24-point margin, 60-36, during the third quarter.
 
Sophomore Jaymi Golden lead the Royals with 14 points, while junior Caitlyn Moore followed with a season-high 12 points and four rebounds.
 
Junior Kristian Eanes returned from a two-game absence to finish with 11 points and redshirt-freshman Taylor Stevens continued her recent hot streak, registering nine points, six rebounds, and five steals.
 
Queens returns home to Curry Arena next Wednesday, January 8, to host Newberry College at 5:30 p.m. Queens Athletics will be hosting a Welcome Back Party for all Queens University of Charlotte students prior to the game where student will receive free pizza and Kona Ice in the Levine Center Lobby.