ORANGEBURG, S.C. (Interstat) — Propelled by a dominant first-quarter performance and a game-high 28 points from Brenae Jones-Grant, the Queens Royals secured a 76-65 victory over the South Carolina State Bulldogs in a non-conference women’s basketball game Thursday night at a sparsely attended SHM Memorial Center.

The Royals, who improved to 3-2 overall, seized control of the contest from the opening tip, establishing a double-digit lead that the Bulldogs, now 2-3, could never fully overcome. Queens built its foundation on the strength of a 19-point first quarter while holding South Carolina State to just nine points, creating a deficit that proved insurmountable for the home team.

Jones-Grant, a 6-foot-1 forward from Plainfield, New Jersey, was the engine of the Queens offense. She played 32 minutes and was efficient from the floor, adding an assist and a block to her scoring total. Her presence in the paint and on the offensive glass, where she secured multiple key rebounds, consistently challenged the Bulldogs’ defense.

She was complemented by a balanced scoring effort from her teammates. Ana Barreto, a 6-foot guard from Lisbon, Portugal, logged a team-high 36 minutes and contributed 15 points and three assists. Jermany Mapp of Chester, South Carolina, also played a heavy workload of 38 minutes, finishing with 14 points and four assists. Dayuna Colvin facilitated the offense effectively, dishing out a game-high six assists to go with nine points.

For South Carolina State, guard Shaunice Reed of Seattle kept her team within striking distance, scoring 21 points in just 25 minutes of action. Angie Juste-Jean of Montreal, Canada, added eight points, three assists and a block, while Feliah Greer provided a spark off the bench with 11 points.

The statistical story of the game was told by shooting efficiency. While both teams attempted 57 field goals, Queens connected on 26 while the Bulldogs made only 23. The disparity was even more pronounced from beyond the arc, where the Royals shot a sharp 10 for 23 compared to South Carolina State’s 8 for 27. Queens also capitalized more frequently at the free-throw line, making 14 of 19 attempts against the Bulldogs’ 11 of 16.

Defensively, Queens forced 14 South Carolina State turnovers, converting them into 15 points. The Bulldogs managed 10 points off 11 Queens turnovers. The teams were nearly even in rebounds and points in the paint, but the Royals’ superior shot-making was the decisive factor. Queens finished the game with an offensive rating of 115.1 points per 100 possessions, significantly outperforming South Carolina State’s mark of 97.6.

After taking a 43-29 lead into halftime, the Royals maintained their composure throughout the second half. Every time the Bulldogs threatened to cut the lead to single digits, Queens answered with a critical basket, often from Jones-Grant or a well-timed three-pointer, to preserve their advantage and close out the road victory.

The win gives Queens momentum heading into a tough road test at South Carolina on Sunday. South Carolina State will look to rebound quickly as they travel to face Charleston Southern on Saturday.