Box Score MURFREESBORO- The Chowan University men's basketball team dropped a 75-70 decision to Virginia State University on Wednesday evening.  The loss ended a nine-game winning streak for the Hawks and marked the first CIAA setback of the season for the Chowan Blue and White.  Virginia State improves to 12-4 overall and 7-1 in league play with the win while the Hawks move to 14-4 on the season and 7-1 against CIAA competition. 

Elijah Moore led all players in the contest with 25 points and 11 rebounds (four offensive, seven defensive).  Kevin Williams added 16 points while Melvin Gregory notched 15 points in the win for the Trojans. 

Kortez Smith scored 21 points in the loss for Chowan with Marco Haskins and Joe Goodwin adding 16 points and 11 points, respectively.  Smith also grabbed a team-high eight rebounds (three offensive, five defensive. 

Virginia State controlled the momentum in the first half as Chowan managed to grab the lead on just two occasions in the first twenty minutes of play.  The Hawks fought to stay within striking distance but a layup by Gregory with 11:33 on the clock gave the Trojans a commanding 25-14 advantage.  A three-pointer by Haskins on the Hawks' next possession led to a 10-4 run for Chowan, allowing the Hawks to pull within five points (29-24) with 8:08 remaining before halftime. The rally was not enough to shift the momentum as Virginia State answered back to take a 46-34 lead by the end of the first half. 

After halftime, the Trojans led by nine or more points until the 7:34 mark when Goodwin drained two free throws to make the score 65-58.  With Virginia State leading 67-58 and 7:09 left to play, a jumper by Haskins sparked a 10-3 run for the Chowan, leaving the Trojans grasping at a 70-68 advantage with 1:27 on the clock.
 
Holding a 72-70 lead with 41 seconds left in the game, Virginia State took advantage of free throw opportunities late in the contest to secure the 75-70 victory. 

The Hawks return to action on Saturday as Chowan travels to compete against Bowie State University.  Game time is slated for 4:00pm.