Box Score Box Score

GREENVILLE, NC – For the first 17 minutes of the game, the Chowan University Hawks played with, and even outplayed, East Carolina University.  A late first half surge and dominating frontcourt play in the second half, however, lead the Pirates to a 78-62 victory on Saturday.
 
Antonio Reddic (15) and Quinton McDuffie (11) each scored in double figures in the first half, as Chowan shot 56.7% from the floor.  The second half was a different story, though, as the Hawks shot just 9-33 (27.3%). 
 
McDuffie scored 22 total points to lead Chowan.  He shot 8-16 from the floor and also grabbed a team-high nine rebounds.  Reddic did not score in the second half as he has hampered by foul trouble.  He recorded six assists, five rebounds, and three steals to go with his 15 points.
 
“We could have very easily come out and been overwhelmed playing here, but our guys came out strong and played with a lot of energy,” said Head Coach Dan DeRose.  “I am proud of our guys to come out and play a Conference USA team and go toe-to-toe with them like we did.”
 
Pre-Season All-Conference USA selection Darrius Morrow scored 20 points on 8-10 shooting for ECU (4-1).  Teammate Miguel Paul matched Morrow with 20 points on 7-11 shooting.  Maurice Kemp grabbed a team-high 12 rebounds.
 
Erin Straughn gave the Pirates an early 8-4 lead with a three pointer, but Chowan fought right back and took a 9-8 lead when McDuffie converted an and-one.  The game was back-and-forth for most of the first half, and the Hawks took a 24-20 lead with 10:07 on the clock off four straight Reddic points.
 
Chowan took a 35-31 with 4:07 remaining in the half, but East Carolina found its offensive groove and followed with a 12-0 run.  Chris Williams drained a layup with 27 seconds left to take the Hawks into halftime down just six, 43-37.
 
Chowan came out in the second half slow offensively, connecting on just two of their first nine shots, but their defense kept them in the game.  A McDuffie three at the 13:12 mark cut the ECU lead to three, 51-48.
 
The Pirates went on a 13-4 run from there to open a 64-52 lead with 6:55 remaining in the game.  Chowan could not put together a long run to climb back in the game, as the Pirates' size proved to be a distinct advantage in the second half.  ECU out-scored Chowan 28-8 in the paint in the second half.
 
“The guys are starting to buy into the system and pay more attention to detail,” said DeRose.  “The potential is there, and as long as we stay focused I think we will be OK.”
 
Chowan committed just 15 turnovers and forced 16 from ECU.  The Hawks shot 6-10 from the free throw line, while the Pirates connected on nine of 15 attempts.
 
Chowan will return to action on Wednesday, November 30^th, when they host the Newport News Apprentice School at 7:00pm in Chowan's 2011-2012 home opener.