CHARLOTE, NC- The defending CIAA champions, the Johnson C. Smith University Golden Bulls faced the fourth-seeded Chowan University Hawks for Game six of the quarterfinals and left disappointed when Chowan handed them a 26-point loss. Beat twice in the regular season, Chowan rose to defeat last year's champs with a final score of 74-46. Chowan will face #1 Saint Augustine's College at 9:00pm Friday night. The two teams split regular season play.

Intensively entering the first half, the Golden Bulls' Ronald Thornhill (Jr./ Alberta, VA/ Brunswick HS)  hit two consecutive three pointers to advance JCSU to an early lead, 6-3.. Fighting back, the Hawks turned away from a slow start with an explosive dunk by all-CIAA pick Lando Morrison (Sr./ Yorktown, VA/ Tabb), for the lead of 8-6. Morrison leads the conference in field goals at 57%. With 7:13 left to play, the Hawks led by 5, 20-15, with Morrison battling in the paint and perimeter success from CU's Charles Rhodes (Jr./ Chapel Hill, NC/ E. Chapel Hill).

Strong in the post, JCSU forward Earl Jackson (Jr./ Temple Hills, MD/ Crossland HS) demanded the ball for a completion and contact to send him to the line, to bring the Golden Bulls within six of a tie. Grabbing an offensive board sent Morrison to the line for two free shots, he hit both and advanced the Hawks to an eight point lead, 28-20.

At the 2:00 mark, and up 6, the Hawks dominated in the paint with feeds to big men, Morrison and Mark Brown (So./ Suffolk, VA/ Nansemond-River) to close the half with a score by Brown and half finish with an eight point lead, 33-25. The Golden Bulls finished the half shooting 52.6% and 66% for the three-point range. Thornhill had 14 points, 5-6 from the field and 80% from the three-point line.

Morrison had 11 points in the first half, 3-3 from the free throw line. Rhodes added nine points, also 100% from the free throw line, 3-3.

Opening the second half on top, the Hawks continued to pace the game with fast transition off defense, with three point completions from Rhodes.

Down 14, JCSU gained momentum with a power dunk from Jerry Hollis (Sr./ Charlotte, NC/ Victory Christian HS). Following Hollis, JCSU added two more dunks from James Dilliard (Sr./ Apex, NC/ East Carolina Univ.) and Brian Mobley (Sr./ Charlotte, NC/ Myers Park HS) off forced CU turnovers, bringing the Golden Bulls within 8 of a tie, 39-31. On a dry spell for both teams, going five minutes without scoring on the floor, with 4:45 remaining, The Hawks aggressively took over on an 8-0 run, advancing their lead to 20. CU defense shut down the JCSU inside work and forced turnovers.

CU finished the half advancing to a large 26-point lead, 74-46. Morrison led the game in scoring with 18 points and five boards. Jaleel Nelson (Sr./ Suffolk, VA/ Lakeland) and Rhodes added a combined 32 points and 12 rebounds. 

Chowan converted 23 Golden Bull turnovers into 28 points and hit shots at a 48% clip. They also held the Golden Bulls offense to 38% (17-45) shooting on the  night. 

Check back later for Chowan's semi-final opponent updates.