Charlotte, NC – After dropping their last two games, Erskine (6-9 overall, 5-6 conference) entered tonight’s matchup hoping to score an upset on the road against the 3^rd place Royals of Queens University (9-7 overall, 8-3 conference) and move back into the conference race. Unfortunately, the Fleet could not stop a red-hot Queens University team, who has now won eight of their last nine games. Queens rolled to an easy 82 to 54 victory over the Fleet.

 

Queens wasted little time grabbing an early lead behind a 16 to 0 run giving them a 22 to 6 lead. Porsha Morgan (Columbus, GA/LaGrange Academy) hit a three point shot to start a Fleet run that cut the lead to four at 22 to 18. That would be as close as the Fleet would come as Queens increased their lead back to nine by halftime.

 

The Fleet emerged at halftime scoring the first two baskets trimming the lead to just five points at 38 to 33. Queens rattled off nine unanswered points to take a 47 to 33 lead. The Royals stretched their lead out to win the game 82 to 54.

 

Queens shot an impressive 52% (32 of 62) on the night and held a commanding rebound advantage at 57 to 37. Queens used their significant rebounding advantage to score 18 2^nd chance points. Moreover, while the overall turnover numbers were relatively even, the Royals scored 18 points off of Fleet miscues, compared to the Fleet scoring just 7 points off turnovers. The Fleet shot a respectable 36% (19 of 53) but were only 2 of 14 (14%) from three-point range.

 

Individually, the Fleet were led by Mary Ann Langford (LaGrange, GA/LaGrange Academy) with 11 points and 6 rebounds. Neci Allen (North Augusta, SC/North Augusta H.S.) also reached double-figures with 10 points and 3 rebounds. The Royals got a “double-double” from Marissa Hudley who had 21 points and 10 rebounds, along with 3 assists and 4 blocked shots. Shakaria Hamlin and Dyonna Battle also scored 16 and 14 points respectively while Jazmine Edmonds helped control the boards with 10 rebounds as well.