MURFREESBORO - Despite Janelle Murphy's 22 points and Talaya Lynch's double-double, the Chowan University women's basketball team fell in a tight game with CIAA North Division foe Virginia State University with a final score of 74-72. The Hawks, who came into the game on a ten-day break from competition, got double-digit outings from three of their players and hit 11 three pointers. Virginia State won the game at the foul line, hitting 18 of their 74 points from the charity stripe. The Hawks made it to the line for just nine points in the game.

Virginia State took a 39-32 lead into the halftime period and kept an arm's length from the Hawks until midway though second half play. At the 11:52 mark of the second half, Murphy nailed a baseline three pointer to close the VSU lead to three at 53-50. Trailing 57-52 just a minute later, CU's Lynch found an open Summer Curtis in the paint who converted on a short jumper. After a big defensive stop, Murphy drilled her 5th three pointer of the game to pull within a point of the Lady Trojans with 10:00 to play in the half. VSU's Quiana Kizer spread the lead again to three at 60-57 on the Lady Trojan's next possession but Lynch answered to knot the game at 60 with her 5th three point basket of the game.

Ransheda Jennings gave the Hawks a bucket at the 6:30 mark to knot the game against at 62. The team's second leading scorer was honored prior to the tip off for senior night but was held scoreless until this point of the game. Although the Hawks kept it close, the Lady Trojans made good on back to back buckets by LaMesha Deal and Yashica Blakney to get ahead 72-67. Chowan was forced to foul the final seconds of the game, giving VSU opportunities to keep them at bay. CU's T'arra Cutting hit a three pointer but time ran out on the Hawks as they fell 74-72 in their final home game of the season.

Chowan shot 40% from the floor (26-65) including 11-25 from beyond the arc. Murphy hit for 22 points and Lynch dropped 19 points and 11 boards. Curtis had a season-high 10 points to go with seven rebounds. Danielle Coleman chipped in six points, nine rebounds, and three blocks in the game.

VSU was led by Deal who scored 16 points and had 14 rebounds. Maiame Sylla had 12 points and seven rebounds.

Chowan ends the regular season at 10-16 overall and 5-11 in CIAA play. Virginia State improves their overall record to 16-12 overall and 8-8 in league play.

The CIAA Tournament is set to start Tuesday, February 28th. Tournament pairings will be released on Sunday and can be found at www.theciaa.com