CHARLOTTE, N.C.- The Queens University of Charlotte women's basketball team (3-5, 2-5 SAC) defeated Coker University (3-6, 2-5 SAC), 49-46, in a crucial conference battle this afternoon inside Curry Arena. The win is the second in the last three contests for the Royals and it marks their first home win of the season.
 
Kalaya Hall led the Royals with 20 points on 8-of-20 shooting. Taylor Stevens was key as well with a stat line of eight points seven rebounds, and two steals. Kiana Barkhoff completed play with six points, seven rebounds, four steals, and five blocks while Kristy Hamze provided valuable minutes for the Royals, scoring nine points and grabbing four rebounds. Finley Levers secured six boards and Amari Davis chipped in with six points and five rebounds.
 
Both defenses were strong in the first quarter as both teams struggled to find the bottom of the net early. The game went back-and-forth early with the Cobras maintaining just a slight advantage before a made three-pointer with one second remaining gave them a 13-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.
 
The Royals came out strong in the second quarter, using a 9-2 run to take their first lead of the ballgame, 20-19, with 2:40 remaining in the first half. The Royals and Cobras then traded baskets the rest of the quarter as Queens held on to control of the lead at the half, 26-24.
 
The game would remain close in the third quarter, as a pair of free throws helped Coker tie things back up at 30-30 with 7:24 to play. Queens responded scoring eight straight points to see its largest lead of the day, 38-30, with 4:33 on the clock. The Cobras answered closing the gap back to two, but a steal that led to a layup on the other end by Hall extended the Royals lead to 41-36 at the end of the third quarter.
 
After the Royals took a 48-40 lead on a Stevens jumper in the fourth, the Cobras would come storming back with a 6-0 run to cut the deficit to 48-46 with 17 seconds remaining. Fortunately, Queens stepped up in the closing seconds making crucial defensive stops to hold the Cobras scoreless for the remainder of the game.  
 
Valicia Demeritte led the Cobras with a double-double on the day totaling 15 points and 12 rebounds while Ashauntee Nelson added 12 points.
 
The Royals return to action on Wednesday, Dec. 15 on the road at Wingate. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
 
Be sure to follow the women's basketball team on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date with the team by searching @queenswbb. Fans are also encouraged to follow Queens Athletics on social media by searching @QueensAthletics.