RICHMOND, VA – The Chowan Men's Basketball team fell to Virginia Union University Monday night 69-59.  The Hawks now hold a 4-20 overall record (3-13 CIAA, 3-7 North).  The Panthers improve to 12-7 on the year (10-4 CIAA, 7-2 North).

Virginia Union opened up the contest on a 9-0 run until Mark Brown drained a three-pointer at the 16:06 mark.  Another Brown trey followed by a Travis Williams free throw brought Chowan within 10 points with 8:47 on the clock.

Braxton Byerson of the Panthers was unstoppable in the first half, however, as he drained 17 points on 6-10 shooting in the stanza.  Chowan scored seven of the final nine points of the half, including five from Mark Brown, to cut the halftime deficit to 44-29.

Brown continued his hot shooting in the second half, as he drained his fourth trey just 22 seconds into the half to bring the VUU lead to 44-32.  The Hawks offense then hit a snag, going scoreless until a Deandre Tyree jumper with 16:18 on the clock.

That began a 12-2 Hawk run over the next 6:12 to set the score at 51-44 in favor of the Panthers.  Mark Brown drained another three at the 9:50 mark to pull within five.  Virginia Union responded by scoring the next seven points to take back an 11 point lead with 8:15 remaining.

Chowan would not go down quietly, going on a 7-0 run beginning at the 3:11 mark to bring the score to 66-59.  There was not enough time left, however, as the Chowan comeback fell short.  Mark Brown had another monster game, draining five three-pointers leading to 19 points.  Deandre Tyree recorded a double-double, scoring 12 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. 

Braxton Byerson led Virginia Union with 26 points and 7 rebounds.  The Panthers connected on 21 free throws compared to 10 for the Hawks.  Chowan will travel to Lawrenceville, Virginia on Saturday to take on Saint Paul's College at 7:30pm.  Virginia Union will hit the road to take on Livingstone College on Wednesday at 7:30pm.