Trojan women struggle in loss
By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on January 19, 2010 1:47 PM
MOUNT OLIVE -- Giving up something to get something.
The strategy didn't pay off Monday afternoon.
Mount Olive College played primarily a zone defense and forced Queens University-Charlotte into turnovers, which led to fast-break scoring opportunities. But the Trojan women failed to rebound consistently, surrendered critical second-chance baskets and suffered a 77-64 loss on the Conference Carolinas basketball scene.
The Royals dominated the boards 50-20, owned a 20-point scoring edge in the paint and 15-point advantage on offensive putbacks.
"Our zone defense was effective and we had 15 turnovers in the first half," said MOC head coach Wendy Lee. "But I think their size and their physicality overcame what we were able to create on the turnover side of things. They were capitalizing on the multiple boards they were getting on us.
"Some of that is toughness. They played tougher than we did and they played bigger than we did. I don't think we were able to give it back like we needed to do."
Queens (7-6 overall, 6-2 CC) snapped a six-game skid against Mount Olive, which holds a 12-10 lead in the series since 1999. It was the Royals' first road win against the Trojans since 2004.
Helen Moore and Laporsha Davis led four MOC players in double figures with 15 points apiece. The duo combined for 10 assists and 11 steals. Brittany Miller added 11 points and Shequanta McGee scored 10.
Marissa Hudley and Shakaria Hamlin paced the Royals with 23 and 17 points, respectively. Hamlin tallied 14 second-half points.
"Hard work," said Queens coach Trudi Lacey of the road win. "We're not the tallest or quickest team, so we know we have to outwork people. We're definitely a blue-collar group."
Mount Olive flourished in the transition game, converted turnovers into baskets and led 25-13 just 10 minutes into the contest. Queens began to minimize its turnovers, collect second-chance points and trim the deficit to single digits.
Cecilia Tchangoue's layup gave the Royals their first lead, 27-26, with 3:41 left before halftime. One lead change and two ties later, the Trojans led 36-35 at the break.
Queens started the second half with a 14-1 run, capped by Tchangoue's offensive putback. Mount Olive went 10-plus minutes without a field goal and Moore provided the lone point on a free throw during that span.
"We did an excellent job of boxing out on the boards, handled their pressure and defended well," said Lacey of the game-changing spurt.
Hamlin's old-fashioned, 3-point play gave the Royals their biggest advantage, 60-44, with just under seven minutes left in regulation. MOC responded with a 15-2 run, which ended on Davis' 3-pointer off Moore's assist.
Hamlin answered with an offensive putback and two free throws to keep the Trojans from threatening again. Queens hit 11 of 12 free throws in the final 94 seconds.
"When we made a good run, it wasn't enough ... a little bit too late," said Lee.