OPENING TIP
Score: Queens 40 | Jacksonville 91
Records: Queens (7-7, 1-2 ASUN) | Jacksonville (10-4, 2-1 ASUN)
Location: Curry Arena (Charlotte, N.C.)

THE SHORT STORY
Saturday afternoon's contest against the North Florida Ospreys was a defensive slugfest from the start. Despite the Royals struggling with their outside shot, neither team led by more than four points throughout the first half. Although Queens began to find a rhythm from three-point range in the second half, free throw shooting and points in the paint were the deciding factors in an eventual North Florida win. 

BY THE NUMBERS

• Hannah Hicks recorded her double-double of the season, scoring 14 points and grabbing 13 rebounds to go along with three assists. 
• Jermany Mapp added 10 points, two rebounds and a made three-pointer. 
• Ana Barreto hit two three-pointers, grabbed 5 rebounds and dished out 3 assists. 
• In just 9 minutes off the bench, Magda Freire nailed two three-pointers. 
• Brenae Jones-Grant contributed 8 points and 5 rebounds.  

• Hannah Hicks had the hot hand during the first quarter, scoring four points before the first media timeout. 
• Trailing 13-11 with 1:42 to play in the first quarter, Magda Freire drilled a step back three-pointer to retake an early lead.   
• Having gone over four minutes without a field goal, Hannah Hicks nailed a post hook to reduce the Osprey lead to two with 4:25 left in the first half.  
• After a series of missed shots and offensive rebounds, Hannah Hicks kicked a pass out to Brenae Jones-Grant who buried a three-pointer to take a 24-22 lead with 2:38 remaining in the first half.  
• Following a scoreless first half, Ana Barreto drained two three-pointers in the first three minutes of the third quarter to trim North Florida's lead to one point.  
• Trailing by 11 with North Florida on a 10-0 run in the third quarter, Jermany Mapp drove to the elbow and hit a tough turnaround jumper to score the first Queens basket in over four minutes.  
• Down by 10 with seven minutes remaining in the game, Magda Freire drilled her second three-pointer of the game to cut the deficit to single digits.  
• With under 5 minutes remaining Hannah Hicks forced a turnover, allowing Ana Barreto to find Jermany Mapp in transition for a layup to cut the Ospreys' lead to five.  
• With 2:54 to play, North Florida's Alonya Waldon converted an and-one to stretch the Ospreys' lead to seven. 

NEXT UP
Queens will stay home at Curry Arena for a matchup against Stetson on Thursday, January 15^th. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+. Fans can purchase their tickets in advance here.

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.