BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The Queens University Royals are set to take the court, aiming to close out the non-conference schedule with winning momentum. After splitting their last ten games, the Royals travel to Boiling Springs to take on the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs for a Friday afternoon contest. The Runnin' Bulldogs will be the fourth Big South opponent the Royals have faced this season, holding a 2-2 record against the league's members.

GAMEDAY GUIDE
Date: Friday, December 20, 2024
Time: 3:00 PM
Location: Paul Porter Arena (Boiling Springs, N.C.)
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THE MATCHUPS
Queens will close out its non-conference slate against the Runnin' Bulldogs. Friday's match up marks the tenth meeting between the Royals and Gardner-Webb. The Royals are 0-4 in Boiling Springs, dating back to the inaugural season in 1990. Jordyn Weaver led the Royals with 24 points in last season's 66-48 victory in Curry Arena.

SCOUTING THE ROYALS (5-5 overall, 0-0 ASUN)

• Offensively, the Royals are averaging 67.2 points per game, led by junior forward Jordyn Weaver. Weaver has been instrumental, averaging 13.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game while shooting an efficient 52.7 percent from the field. Weaver has also posted double figure points in all ten games this season.
• Ana Barreto provides a strong perimeter threat, shooting 40.4 percent from beyond the arc and contributing 9.8 points per game. Barreto ranks sixth in the ASUN in three-point field goals per game, averaging 2.1 per game.
• Magda Freire has developed in the starting lineup, turning in a season-high 36 minutes in the loss to Western Carolina. The Portuguese guard finished with 21 points on 9-14 shooting, adding seven rebounds and three steals, all personal best.
• Defensively, the Royals rank second in the ASUN in blocked shots and steals after 10 games. Queens averages 10.4 steals per game and 3.3 blocks per contest.
• Queens has forced at least 20 turnovers in four games this season.
• Kemia Ward's presence in the paint has led to 12 of the teams 33 blocks on the year. Four Royals have over ten take aways on the season, led by Ana Barreto and Magda Freire who have 15 steals a piece, while Jordyn Weaver and Aylesha Wade have 13 steals each.
• The Royals ability to control the glass is a focal point, as they average 37.5 rebounds per game compared to their opponents' 37.4.

SCOUTING THE RUNNIN' BULLDOGS (3-8 overall, 0-0 Big South)

• The last time on Tuesday night, Garder-Webb lead at half but were unable to fend off a late comeback as the Hampton Pirates upended the Runnin' Bulldogs by a final score of 76-67.
• Scott Merritt enters his second season as the head coach of the Gardner-Webb women's basketball program in 2024-25. In year one, Merritt led the Runnin' Bulldogs to five Big South Conference wins.
• The Runnin' Bulldogs are averaging 63.1 points per game, fueled by Ashley Hawkins' 15.3 points per game and Elle Blatchford's 11.6 points per game.
• Defensively, Gardner-Webb is allowing 74.2 points per game, with opponents shooting 34.1 percent from three and averaging 9.0 steals per contest.
• Ashley Hawkins comes in shooting 36.9 percent from the field and an impressive 87.3 percent from the free-throw line. After a stellar junior campaign, Hawkins received first team All-Big South recognition and was the league's preseason player of the year.
• Southern Mississippi transfer Elle Blatchford has contributed 11.6 points per game and has been consistent from beyond the arc, hitting 43.9 percent of her three-point attempts.
• In the Big South Women's Basketball preseason poll, High Point leads the way with 76 points and five first place votes. Radford with 57 points and one first place vote is second, followed by Charleston Southern in third with 55 points. The Runnin' Bulldogs grabbed 43 points and a first-place vote, good for sixth.

SOCIAL MEDIA
Be sure to follow Queens Women's Basketball on Twitter and Instagram for news and updates throughout the season. Fans are also encouraged to follow Queens Athletics on social media to stay up to date on all the Royals sports in action.