CHARLOTTE, N.C.- The Queens women’s basketball team posted a 52 point second half to lift the Royals over Mars Hill College by a score of 88-61 in the home opener at Ovens Athletics Center.
The Royals (1-2) offense started the second stanza by hitting seven of eight field goals to take open an 11 point advantage just four minutes into the half. The shooters stayed hot through the remaining time ending with an impressive 73.3% field goal percentage for the second half. Overall, Queens 58.1% from the floor.
Queens freshman
April Myers (Seabrook, S.C., Battery Creek) came alive in the second half by scoring all 10 of her points and adding seven rebounds, nine total for the night, in the winning effort.
In the same time period the Lions (0-1) converted on just two of seven attempts. For the half the team struggled to find the basket making 10 of 39 shots (25.6%). For the entire contest they were able to convert on 21of 75 (28%).
The first half was evenly matched with the Royals holding a four point edge at the half, 36-32. Queens held the lead throughout the game except for one tie at the 11:23 mark in the first half. Mars Hill did come away with 17 Queens turnovers while the Royals were able to force eight.
Marissa Hudley (Charlotte, N.C., Harding University ) led all scorers with 19 and
Ashley McGuirt (Indian Trail, N.C., Providence Day)contributed 14. Two other Royals had double-digit nights, Myers and
Erin Goldner (Matthews, N.C., Piedmont), 11. All but two of the Royals players scored points in the contest.
For Mars Hill Brittani Young paved the way with 14 points. Krystal Moore added 12 and Taylor Deal and Bria Smith each chipped in 11. Other than the four just mentioned, no other players for the Lions scored more than five points.
Queens will open Conference Carolinas play on Tuesday as the host Limestone College at 5:30pm.