Box Score MURFREESBORO, NC- The Chowan University men's basketball team picked up a 97-56 nonconference victory over the visiting Mustangs of Mid-Atlantic Christian on Thursday evening.  The Hawks improve to 6-9 overall with the win while the Mustangs slip to 4-12. 
 
Kortez Smith led the effort with 21 points and three three-pointers in the victory.  Kyree Bethel drained five of the team's 12 three-pointers en-route to an 18 point performance.  Phoenix Butler-Poole added 12 points and 10 rebounds (two offensive, eight defensive). 
 
For the Mustangs, Michael Anderson drained 19 points while David Barron added 15 of his own.  Anderson netted four of Mid-Atlantic's eight three-pointers in the loss. 
 
The Hawks and Mustangs scored a combined 20 three-pointers throughout the contest.  Chowan scored 21 points off turnovers and their bench players accounted for 50 points in the win. 
 
Chowan led 5-0 at the start of the first half after two free throws by Butler-Poole and a three-pointer from Bethel.  Holding an 11-5 advantage with 13:39 on the clock, a three-pointer by Smith followed by a made free throw gave Chowan a double-digit lead (15-5).  The Hawks stayed ahead by at least nine points for the remainder of the half.  Another three-pointer by Smith gave the Hawks a 45-26 advantage and propelled them to a 45-29 lead heading into halftime. 
 
Chowan continued to dominate throughout the second half.  With a 53-35 lead and 14:31 on the clock, the Hawks orchestrated a 19-0 run to pull away 72-35 with just 8:50 left in the game.  A made free throw by Carlos Arroyo with 45 seconds on the clock led to the 97-56 victory for Chowan. 
 
The Hawks will return to CIAA Northern Division competition on Saturday when they travel to Bowie State University.  Tip-off is slated for 4:00pm.