Box Score PETERSBURG, VA- The Chowan University men's basketball team earned a 71-64 win over Virginia State University on Wednesday afternoon.  The Hawks improve to 10-12 on the year and 4-8 in the league while the Trojans move to 12-10 overall and 5-7 against CIAA competition. 
 
Kortez Smith led all players in the contest with 23 points in the victory for the Hawks.  Kyree Bethel scored 14 points while Phoenix Butler-Poole added 11 points. Bethel and Smith combined to score seven of the team's 12 three-pointers. 
 
Larry Savage led the Trojans with 16 points in the game while Chris Grier and Elijah Moore added 12 and 10 points respectively. 
 
Virginia State maintained the lead for the majority of the first half until a three-pointer by Smith at the 3:58 mark put the Hawks ahead 26-24.  Chowan held on to the advantage and closed out the half with a 32-29 lead.  The Trojans managed to take the lead at the 16:33 mark after a lay-up and jumper by Savage put Virginia State ahead 35-32.  A three-pointer by Greg Alston on the next possession returned the momentum and the lead to the Hawks. 
 
Chowan led by as many as 17 points (67-50) as late as the 4:03 mark.  A 12-0 run by Virginia State put the pressure on the Hawks late in the game, but Chowan held on to snag the 71-64 win. 
 
The Hawks return to Murfreesboro on Saturday to host Bowie State University in a CIAA Northern Division match-up.  Tip-off is slated for 4:00pm.