Charlotte, N.C.----The Wingate University women’s basketball team defeated Queens University of Charlotte 64-58 in the opening game of the 2009-10 basketball season on Sunday afternoon. The Bulldog victory came in the first contest of the Queen City Classic, hosted by Johnson C. Smith University in historic Brayboy Gymnasium.

Stacie Rhodes (Raleigh, N.C.) led the way for Wingate, contributing 11 points, 16 rebounds and four blocked shots. Rhodes was extremely efficient on the afternoon, converting five-of-eight field goal attempts in 25 minutes of action. Kurie Washington (Marion, N.C.) led all scorers with 17 points; she was 11-of-13 from the charity stripe.

Ashley McGuirt and Shakaria Hamlin each contributed 12 points for the Royals in the defeat. Erin Goldner, a Piedmont High School graduate, had a solid all-around game with four points, six assists, three steals and three rebounds for Queens.

Wingate returns to action Monday afternoon on the final day of the Queen City Classic. The Bulldogs take on Pfeiffer University in a game scheduled for a 4 p.m. tip. Queens will battle Johnson C. Smith at 6 p.m. Both games will take place in the Brayboy Gymnasium on the JCSU campus.

(Wingate University sports information student assistant Daniel Smith wrote this story. Smith is a senior Social Studies Education major from Oakboro, N.C.)