MURFREESBORO, N.C. – The Chowan Women's Basketball team thwarted the upset bid by rival, Elizabeth City State, in a CIAA Northern Division match-up on Wednesday evening, 71-69.

THE BASICS

FINAL | Chowan 71, Elizabeth City State 69

RECORDS | Chowan 17-4 (9-2), Elizabeth City State 9-14 (2-9)

LOCATION | Murfreesboro, N.C. (Helms Center)

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

Four players scored in double-figures in the Hawks' balanced attack.  Dhyamond Crenshaw and Jada Lee led the team with 16 points each. 

Chantel Roberts registered her sixth double-double of the season with 15 points and a career-high 16 rebounds.  Mariah Coker chipped in 13 points.

Chowan had 20 assists on 25 made baskets as Jada Lee tallied seven and Mariah Coker dished out five.  Lee added seven rebounds and five steals on the night.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Quarter:

Elizabeth City State jumped out to an early 7-0 lead going 3-3 from the floor.  Following a CU timeout, the Hawks countered with an 8-0 run to take the lead.  Dhyamond Crenshaw sparked the run with a layup.  Mariah Coker added a jumper along with four free throws by the Hawks.

The lead would switch hands for the rest of the quarter as Chantel Roberts knocked down a trey to knot the contest at 15-all.  Jada Lee tied the contest at 17-all.

Mariah Coker and Chantel Roberts netted a basket to give the Hawks a 22-19 lead heading to the second quarter.

Second Quarter:

The Hawks' run continued as three freebies and a jumper allowed the lead to grow to 27-19 with 8:12 remaining in the opening half.

A 22-4 run by the Vikings put ECSU on top by seven, 38-31, with 2:37 left in the half.  Joanne Williams scored all four points for the Hawks.

Chantel Roberts ended the run with a jumper at the 1:59 mark before Jada Lee swapped triples with the Vikings.  Chowan trailed 43-39 at the break.

Third Quarter:

Chowan came out of the half strong as ECSU scored 11 seconds into the half and not again until the 3:20 mark.  During that span, Chowan went on a 13-0 run to regain the lead, 52-45.  Danielle Weldon started the run with a jumper.  Five straight points by Jada Lee gave the Hawks the one point advantage.

Dhyamond Crenshaw, Joanne Williams, and Danielle Weldon netted a bucket each to keep the run moving.  ECSU cut the deficit to four with a four quick points.

Chowan ended the quarter on a 10-5 run to lead 62-54.  Four freebies by Chantel Roberts kept the lead in CU's favor.  Mariah Coker knocked down a pair of threes during the spurt.

Fourth Quarter:

ECSU outscored the Hawks 15-9 in the final stanza.  Five points by the Vikings closed the gap to three, 62-59 with 8:25 remaining.  Mariah Coker stalled the drive with a jumper.

Chowan would keep the lead at five, 66-61 following a free throw by Chantel Roberts.  Dhyamond Crenshaw converted the three-point play with 1:41 left to give the Hawks a six point advantage.

The Vikings were able to knot the contest at 69-all with 22 seconds left to play.

Jada Lee would find space near the block and put it off the glass for the game-winner with five ticks left on the clock.  ECSU had a look at the buzzer from deep but was wide.

UP NEXT

Chowan continues their battle for the CIAA Northern Division title as the Hawks make the return trip to Virginia State on Saturday, February 10.  Tip-off is slated for 2pm.