CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Interstat) — The Queens Royals delivered a stifling defensive performance in a 60-35 victory over the South Carolina Upstate Spartans in a nonconference women’s basketball game Saturday at Levine Center. Queens held the Spartans to 26.8% shooting from the floor and a season-low point total. The Royals scored 13 points off 14 Spartans turnovers and never trailed, leading 30-15 at halftime after holding South Carolina Upstate to just four first-quarter points. Ana Barreto led Queens with 14 points and five assists. Dayuna Colvin added 12 points and Jermany Mapp scored 13. Gwen Jenkins was the lone Spartan in double figures with 10 points. Queens improved to 6-5. South Carolina Upstate fell to 5-9.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Interstat) — The Queens Royals delivered a model of consistency and defensive dominance, holding the South Carolina Upstate Spartans to a season-low scoring output in a 60-35 victory in a nonconference women’s basketball game Saturday at Levine Center. The Royals improved to 6-5 on the season, while the Spartans fell to 5-9. The most decisive phase of the game unfolded from the opening tip. Queens established immediate control with a stifling defensive effort, limiting South Carolina Upstate to a mere four points in the first quarter on 2-of-15 shooting from the floor. The Spartans opened the game with seven consecutive missed field goal attempts and committed a shot clock violation before finally scoring nearly four minutes into the contest. This early drought allowed Queens to build a 15-4 lead after the first period, a margin that would never be seriously threatened. Queens maintained remarkable offensive equilibrium, scoring exactly 15 points in each of the four quarters. More importantly, their defense never relented. The Spartans struggled to find any offensive rhythm, finishing the game shooting 26.8% from the field (15 of 56) and a dismal 9.1% (2 of 22) from 3-point range. South Carolina Upstate’s 35 points marked their second-lowest total of the season and their lowest against a Division I opponent. Ana Barreto led a balanced Queens attack with 14 points, five assists and a block in 39 minutes. Dayuna Colvin added 12 points and four assists, while Jermany Mapp contributed 13 points. Hannah Hicks provided a strong interior presence with 10 points, two assists and two blocks. For South Carolina Upstate, Gwen Jenkins was the lone player to reach double figures, scoring 10 points. The Spartans were hampered by 14 turnovers, which Queens converted into 13 points, while managing only two points off the Royals’ eight giveaways. Despite shooting just 28.6% from the free-throw line (4 of 14), Queens compensated with efficient offense elsewhere, shooting 48.1% from the field and 46.2% from beyond the arc. The Royals also won the possession battle, scoring their 60 points on 60 possessions for an offensive rating of 100.6, while the Spartans managed only 35 points on 62 possessions, an offensive rating of 56.1. The game’s outcome aligned with pregame analytics, as National Statistical’s ELO system had projected Queens with a 72% probability to win. South Carolina Upstate will look to rebound when they open Big South Conference play on the road at Charleston Southern on Dec. 31. Queens will begin ASUN Conference play on the road at Bellarmine on Jan. 1.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Interstat) — Two teams seeking consistency will meet Saturday when the South Carolina Upstate Spartans visit the Queens (N.C.) Royals in a nonconference women’s basketball matchup at Levine Center. Both teams enter with 5-8 overall records. The Spartans are looking to build momentum after a dominant 112-39 win over Agnes Scott on Wednesday, while the Royals aim to rebound from a 61-51 home loss to North Carolina Central that same night. South Carolina Upstate’s offense runs hot and cold. Following a 39-point outing in a loss to UNC Greensboro on Dec. 6, the Spartans exploded for a season-high 112 points against Agnes Scott. Guard Aubrie Kierscht led that charge, scoring 23 points in just 16 minutes. She will be a key perimeter threat for the Spartans. Queens will counter with forward Hannah Hicks, who provides a strong interior presence. Hicks is coming off a 14-rebound, 3-block performance against N.C. Central, showcasing her ability to impact the game defensively and on the glass. Her matchup inside will be critical against a Spartans team that features contributors like Emma Blair, who had 12 points and eight rebounds Wednesday. The Spartans have struggled against Division I competition, with recent losses to Samford, UNC Greensboro and Morehead State. Their wins have come largely against lower-tier opponents. Similarly, Queens has faced a tough schedule, including a lopsided loss to top-ranked South Carolina, but has secured wins over Western Carolina and Gardner-Webb. This game serves as a final nonconference tune-up before both teams dive into league play in January. South Carolina Upstate will open Big South Conference action on Dec. 31 at Charleston Southern. Queens will begin ASUN Conference play on Jan. 1 at Bellarmine. Tipoff is set for Saturday afternoon in Charlotte.