Box Score MURFREESBORO, NC- The Chowan University men's basketball team dropped a 72-68 decision on Tuesday evening in the Helms Center in a nonconference match-up against Mount Olive. 
 
Phoenix Butler-Poole led all players in the game with 20 points in the loss.  Ashante Ross and Warren Powers added 17 and 16 points respectively while Tiron Brown chipped in 11 points.  Powers hauled in 10 rebounds in the loss (two offensive, eight defensive) to earn a double-double. 
 
Dontrell Brite turned in a team-high 17 points for the Trojans.  Jordan McCain tallied 13 points while Kendall Hargrove and Mike Moore added 10 points apiece to help the cause. 
 
The Trojans and Hawks battled early in the first half.  The game was tied on five different occasions in the first eight minutes of play until a jumper by Mike Moore followed by two made free throws by Brite gave Mount Olive a 19-15 advantage.  Both teams exchanged baskets as the clock wound down.  With the score knotted 24-24 after a layup by Butler-Poole, a three pointer by Ewon Wright put the Trojans back on top 27-24 with 5:55 left to play.  Mount Olive closed out the half with a 9-4 run to close out the half with a 36-28 lead at halftime. 
 
The Trojans continued to build on the momentum in the second half and led by as many as 14 points as late as the 8:34 mark.  Down but not out, the Hawks fought back with a vengeance to pull within striking distance.  Trailing 65-54 with 4:15 left in the contest, Chowan orchestrated a 10-0 run to make the score 65-64 with 2:21 remaining in the contest.
 
Mount Olive maintained a two point lead as the seconds ticked away, and took advantage of two made free throws by Jordan McCain to secure the 72-68 victory.  The Trojans improve to 6-3 with the win while the Hawks slip to 3-4. 
 
Chowan will take off from competition until January 2^nd when they take on Fayetteville State in Capel Arena.  Tip-off is slated for 7:30pm.