ETTRICK, VA – The Chowan Women's Basketball team fell in their regular season finale to Virginia State University Thursday night, 77-65.  The Hawks finish the regular season with a 14-12 record (11-7 CIAA, 9-3 North).  The Lady Trojans conclude the season at 18-8 overall (12-6 CIAA, 9-3 North). 

Chowan got off to a hot start, opening up an 18-6 lead just over five minutes into the contest.  A Morgan McGill free throw at the 10:50 mark cut the Hawk lead down to five.  The Lady Trojans eventually tied the game at 27 apiece with 5:48 remaining.

After the squads traded baskets for the next four minutes, Najah Harris drained a three pointer to put Chowan up three with 1:11 on the clock.  VSU scored the final five points of the half, however, to take a 39-37 advantage at intermission. 

Virginia State put the game away in the second half as Chowan did not score in the first 9:36 of the half.  At that point, the Lady Trojans built a 20 point lead, which they would not relinquish.  The Hawks fought back, though, as they cut the deficit to 12 points following a Talaya Lynch layup at the 7:58 mark.

Another Lynch layup, with 1:49 remaining, brought Chowan within seven at 67-60.  Virginia State shot 10-14 from the charity stripe over the final 1:37 to seal the game and thwart the Hawk comeback.

Ransheda Jennings led Chowan with 27 points off 10-18 shooting from the floor.  She also connected on 6-7 free throws.  Najah Harris drained 18 points while playing all 40 minutes.  Harris shot 3-4 from beyond the arc and 7-8 from the free throw line for the game.

Morgan McGill (24) and Rhon'Neisha Taylor (23) led the Lady Trojans in scoring.  Virginia State shot 41 free throws on the night and out-rebounded Chowan by 10.  Both teams will now head to the CIAA Tournament beginning Monday, February 28.  Seedings and pairings for the CIAA Tournament will be officially announced Sunday morning.