HARROGATE, TENN. – In a back-and-forth contest this afternoon inside Tex Turner Arena, the Queens University of Charlotte women's basketball team (6-17, 5-17 SAC) fell in a hard-fought battle with Lincoln Memorial University (10-14, 8-13 SAC), 67-64.
Both squads came out hot and ready in the first half, as the Royals took a narrow 16-15 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Finley Lefevers led the Royals with eight early points. The back-and-forth contest continued into the second quarter where the Royals were able to increase their lead to four after opening with a jumper from
Jori Wilks and a triple from
Mikayla Sink. However, neither squad was able to really create a comfortable margin in the period that saw three lead changes and three ties. At the half, Queens trailed by three, 36-33.
After LMU was able to increase its lead to seven, 42-35, in the third, Queens would answer with a 6-0 push capped with a three from
Kennedy Fuller that cut the Railsplitters' lead to one, 42-41. However, that would not be enough as LMU responded with four unanswered points to keep control of the game. A three-pointer and layup from Wilks cut the deficit to two, 48-46, late but late fouls allowed the Railsplitters to extend their lead back out to six, 52-46, as they connected on 4-of-4 free throws late in the quarter.
In the fourth, Hall knocked down a contested three that tied the game 55-55 and capped a 7-0 run for the Royals with 4:30 remaining. Davis then gave the Royals the lead after connecting on a pair from the charity stripe. Unfortunately, the lead would be short-lived as LMU answered back with a layup to tie the game, eventually taking back control. Queens would knot the game once more, 58-58, at 2:12 but the Railsplitters were scored from deep to move back in front by three and held on to their lead until the final buzzer sounded despite the Royals pulling within one three different times in the final seconds of action.
Hall led all on the court with 21 points and five assists, while Wilks totaled 11 points and four rebounds off the bench. Fuller chipped in nine points, and Lefevers added eight points and three rebounds. Davis poured in five points and seven rebounds, and
Malea Garrison grabbed 10 boards while scoring seven points.
Queens will be back in action on Wednesday, Feb. 23, taking on Lenoir-Rhyne in Hickory, N.C. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
Be sure to follow the Royals on Twitter @queenswbb and Instagram @queenswbb to stay up to date on all the latest news surrounding the women's basketball program. Additionally, follow Queens Athletics on all social media platforms by searching @QueensAthletics.
