MURFREESBORO, N.C. – The Chowan Women's Basketball team came up short in the battle against the Patriots in a non-conference contest at home on Wednesday evening.

THE BASICS

FINAL | Chowan 66, Francis Marion 71

RECORDS | Chowan 0-3, Francis Marion 3-0

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

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

Monique Jones posted her first double-double as a Hawk with 10 points and 12 rebounds.  Olivia Gaither and Demetria Bland also chipped in with 10 points.  Gaither recorded three blocks on the evening.

Mariah Coker led the team with a season-high 23 points on 9-14 shooting from the floor.

The Hawks would struggle from the charity stripe going 15-25.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Quarter:

Francis Marion raced out to an early 8-2 lead before the Hawks evened the score at 8-all.  Mariah Coker scored the first five points for the Hawks as Olivia Gaither knocked down a three pointer to level the contest.

A quick 6-0 run by the Hawks gave Chowan a 14-10 advantage.  Olivia Gaither started the run with a bucket followed by a jumper by Demetria Bland and Mariah Coker.

Jahkeria Bagby and Mariah Coker added to the scoring to close out the quarter with an 18-15 lead.

Second Quarter:

Olivia Gaither started the scoring with a layup that sparked an 8-3 run to start the quarter.  After a three pointer by FMU, Demetria Bland answered at the other end with a trey and a jumper to push the lead to 26-18.

The Patriots pulled within four, 27-23, with 3:23 to go in the half.  Emaree Hinton added a bucket before free throws down the stretch allowed FMU to take a 32-29 advantage.

Chowan trailed 34-31 at the break.

Third Quarter:

Francis Marion opened up the half on a 7-2 run prior to a 6-0 run by the Hawks to cut the gap to 41-39 and a timeout.  Teylahna Green connected from deep and Mariah Coker completed the three-point play.

Two free throws by Mariah Coker and a jumper by Demetria Bland evened the score at 43-all midway through the quarter.

Chowan continued to push back to lead 50-46.  Mariah Coker started the run with a jumper followed by a three-pointer by Olivia Gaither.  Monique Jones added a pair from the stripe.

Francis Marion regained the lead 52-51 before a fastbreak jumper by Mariah Coker gave the Hawks a 53-52 lead heading to the final stanza.

Fourth Quarter:

Both teams continued to trade blows early as Monique Jones had the hot hand knocked down a pair of three-pointers on the pick-and-pop game.  Jahkeria Bagby gave the Hawks a slight 65-64 lead before a three ball by the Patriots took control of the contest.

Following the three pointer, FMU pushed their lead to 71-66 with seven straight points to take the victory.

UP NEXT

Chowan remains home as the Hawks open up Conference Carolinas play against North Greenville on Saturday, November 23.  Tip-off is slated for 2pm.