MURFREESBORO – The Chowan University Women's Basketball team suffered its first CIAA North defeat of the season following a 71-62 loss to visiting Virginia State University. The Hawks fall to 10-10 overall (7-5 CIAA, 5-1 North).  With the win, the Lady Trojans improve to 12-6 overall (6-4 CIAA, 3-2 North).

 

Neither offense could get things going in the opening minutes of the game thanks to tight defense and costly turnovers. The score was tied at just two apiece until Najah Harris nailed a three at the 15:48 mark. A Talaya Lynch trey put the Hawks ahead 10-4 with 14:31 remaining in the half.

 

Virginia State responded with a 6-2 run over the next 1:19 to cut the Chowan lead to 12-10. Chowan was not fazed by the surge, as they went on a 9-1 run of their own over the next two minutes to extend their lead to 21-11. 

 

Ransheda Jennings drained two free throws with 5:10 remaining in the half to give Chowan its biggest lead of the half, 15, at 33-18. From there, the Hawks offense stalled, only scoring four points the rest of the half. The Lady Trojans' offense came to life at the end of the half, ending on a 16-4 run. At the half, Chowan held a slight 37-34 lead.

 

Virginia State continued their surge as the second half opened, scoring the first four points to take their first lead since the 17:22 mark of the first half. At the 16:08 mark, the Lady Trojans held a 44-39 lead thanks to a Betty Appiah free throw. Chowan then scored the next six points to take a one point advantage.

 

VSU once again opened up a sizeable lead after Quiana Kizer hit two free throws at the 10:03 mark to make the score 52-45. Chowan again responded by going on a 5-0 run to cut the lead to two. The Lady Trojans never gave up the lead, however, and continued to pull away as the second half continued. Two Rhon'Neisha Taylor free throws put VSU up 66-56 with 46 seconds remaining, and they visitors held on for the 71-62 win.

 

Chowan was led by Talaya Lynch who notched 17 points, 13 of which came in the first half. Ransheda Jennings (14), Brittany Nicholson (12), and Najah Harris (10) also scored in double figures for the Hawks. Virginia State was led by Marquilla Evans who tallied 14 points.

 

Chowan takes the court again next Tuesday, February 8^th, when they host Bowie State University. A 5:30 tipoff is scheduled at the Helms Center. VSU travels to Saint Paul's College on Monday, February 7^th. Tipoff is set for 5:30pm.