Box Score MURFREESBORO, NC- The Chowan University women's basketball team dropped a 68-64 decision in the Helms Center on Tuesday evening in a nonconference outing against Belmont Abbey College.  The Hawks drop to 6-4 on the season while the Crusaders improve to 7-4 on the year.
 
CIAA Co-Newcomer of the Week Alisha Mobley led the Hawks with 17 points in the contest.  Rachel Gostomski and Naima Harrington each added 14 points in the loss with Gostomski draining three-three pointers.  Summer Curtis and Mobley each hauled in eight rebounds for the Blue and White. 
 
McKenzie Owen of Belmont Abbey led all players in the game with 23 points on the evening.  Morgan Midkiff chipped in 15 points in the effort. 
 
The Hawks and Crusaders exchanged baskets early in the first half.  With the score knotted 9-9 and 16:04 remaining, Naima Harrington's jumper after the first media time out gave Chowan an 11-9 advantage.  Harrington followed with a layup at the 14:02 mark to give the Hawks a 13-9 lead, their largest of the contest. 
 
Belmont Abbey regained the lead at the 8:40 mark using a layup by Owens to pull away 19-18.  The score was tied once more with 2:20 before halftime (25-25), but a lay-up a jumper by Midkiff allowed the Crusaders to escape with a 27-25 advantage at the half. 
 
Belmont Abbey maintained the lead for the remainder of the contest and led by as many as 10 points at the 15:03 mark after a made free throw b y Owen.  The Hawks clawed their way back to bring the game within striking distance.  A three pointer by Gostmoski with 36 seconds left in the contest brought the Hawks within two points (66-64), but a Hawk foul led to two free throw opportunities for the Crusaders.  Kelsey Long made good on both attempts to secure the 68-64 victory for Belmont Abbey. 
 
The Hawks will be back in action on December 20^th when they host Barber-Scotia in another nonconference contest.  Tip-off is slated for 2:00pm in the Helms Center.