Alyssa Luebs' free throw with 1:37 remaining broke a 55-55 tie and Andrea Jones hit what proved to be the game-winning basket 12 seconds later as Mount Olive escaped with a 58-57 victory over Queens in Conference Carolinas women's basketball Wednesday at Kornegay Arena. Both teams overcame double-digit deficits and the Trojans survived two potential game-winning shots in the final three seconds to hold on for the win.

Mount Olive (13-4, 7-1 Conference Carolinas) remains in sole possession of first place in the East Division.

A poor shooting first half by Mount Olive led the Royals (4-13, 2-6 Conference Carolinas) to lead by as much as 12 in the first half. But the Trojans rallied behind Joneiqua Gary, whose seven points and two assists, helped Mount Olive close within 27-25 at intermission.

The Trojans then opened the second half with a 16-4 run fueled by a full-court trap that forced the Royals into several turnovers. Mount Olive led by as much as 11 before cold shooting again stymied the Trojans. Mount Olive was also hampered with four problems. Tamara Nesmith, Jasmine McDonald and Alyssa Luebs each picked up her fourth foul as Queens worked its way back.

McDonald's three-point play gave the Trojans a 42-31 advantage with 13:24 remaining. But the Royals answered with a 15-6 run of their own. Four straight points by Sarah Myatt closed the gap to 48-46 with 6:44 to play. Four consecutive free throws by Jones extended Mount Olive's lead back to five before Queens made its run.

Shonice Pettaway gave the Royals their first lead in more than 15 minutes when she banked home a shot in the lane with 2:31 remaining. Jones quickly put the Trojans back in front with her second three-pointer moments later.

Like most of the Trojans, Luebs and Jones struggled from the field most of the game. But with the contest on the line in the waning moments, they came up big. After Dyonna Battle tied the game at 55-55 with 1:49 left, Luebs turnd an offensive rebound into a go-ahead free throw. In the process, she drew the fifth foul from Battle.

After Mount Olive's pressure defense forced a Queens turnover, Jones delivered a 10-footer to stretch the lead back to three.

In the final 1:37 following Luebs' free throw, Queens made just one-of-six shots from the field. Queens still had life, however, as the Trojans turned the ball over three times in the final minute.

Myatt cut the lead to 58-57 with a lay-up with nine seconds remaining. After a timeout, Queens set up a full-court trap that worked to perfection. The Trojans lost the ball on the inbounds pass and Pettaway grabbed the ball. Pettaway forced up a 12-footer that missed, but Shatonya Hardy was there for the offensive rebound. Her follow-up shot rimmed out at the buzzer.

McDonald, Jones and Gary finished with 12 points apiece to pace Mount Olive. Nesmith added 10 points and nine rebounds to go along with four steals and three assists. Luebs delivered 12 rebounds, four assists and four steals.

The Royals were led by Myatt with 17 points, while Pettaway added 16 and Shantel Sweet, 11.

The Trojans return to action Saturday when North Greenville comes to Kornegay Arena for the first time as a member of Conference Carolinas. Tip-off is 2 p.m.