Box Score MURFREESBORO- The Chowan University women's basketball team earned a hard fought 68-60 win over Johnson C. Smith University on Thursday evening in the Helms Center. The Hawks improve to 8-5 overall and 2-1 in CIAA play with the win while the Golden Bulls slide to 9-6 on the season and 2-2 in league action.

The Golden Bulls had three players score double-digit points in the contest led by Quinesha Lynch with 14 points. Ashley Porter added 13 points and seven rebounds (two offensive, five defensive) in the setback while Asha Jordan notched 10 points (one offensive, six defensive) to aid the effort.

Alisha Mobley led all players in the game with 16 points and 10 rebounds (eight offensive, two defensive) while Shaikeyla Jordan added 13 points for the Chowan Blue and White. Dhyamond Crenshaw and Jordan Payne each contributed nine points in the victory with Mercedes Tapia notching eight points. CIAA Rookie of the Week Jada Lee recorded seven points and 13 rebounds (four offensive, nine defensive). The Hawks out-rebounded the Golden Bulls 52-29 on the evening.

The Hawks held a narrow 7-6 lead in the first quarter before a 14-0 run by Johnson C. Smith left Chowan trailing 20-7 after the first ten minutes of play. A free throw by MaryAnna More at the start of the second quarter gave the Golden Bulls a 14 point lead (21-7). The Hawks chipped away at the deficit and orchestrated a 9-2 run to pull within seven points (23-16) with 5:01 on the clock. The Golden Bulls answered back and gained a 32-21 advantage with 1:51 before halftime, but the Hawks closed out the quarter with a 7-1 run to pull within five points (33-28) by intermission.

Johnson C. Smith grabbed the momentum early in the third quarter, but the Hawks were resilient in their effort to comeback, and used a layup by Payne to tie the game 42-42 with 4:54 on the clock. The Hawks and Golden Bulls exchanged baskets for the remainder of the quarter with Johnson C. Smith holding a 48-44 edge heading into the final quarter of play.

Chowan trailed 57-55 with 4:27 left in the game when a three-pointer by Tapia sparked a 13-0 run for the Hawks, leaving Johnson C. Smith trailing 68-57 with less than thirty seconds left in the game. The Hawks clung to the momentum for the remainder of the contest, earning the 68-60 CIAA crossover win.

Chowan returns to action on January 9^th to host Winston-Salem State University. Tip-off for the CIAA crossover contest is slated for 2:00pm in the Helms Center.