MURFREESBORO, N.C. – BJ McLaurin hauled in a program best 19 rebounds on his way to another double-double in a 68-55 win over Southern Wesleyan in Conference Carolinas action on Saturday afternoon.

THE BASICS

FINAL | Chowan 68, Southern Wesleyan 55

RECORDS | Chowan 8-9 (5-7), Southern Wesleyan 11-9 (7-5)

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

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

BJ McLaurin grabbed a single-game record of 19 rebounds in the win on his way to his ninth double-double of the season.  McLaurin had a double-double in the first half with 10 points and 11 rebounds.  He finished with 12 points and four blocks.

Khalil Ridges led the team with 16 points.  Isaiah Lewis chipped in with 12 points.  Jaylen Dilliard and Ja'Darien Wade added eight points each.

Chowan's defense held the Warriors to 33.9% shooting in the contest and 55 points.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Half:

BJ McLaurin started the contest with a pair of free throws after two offensive rebounds.  Tahkey Williams added a layup to lead 4-0 early.  SWU knocked down a three pointer before Jaylen Dilliard added a bucket.  Khalil Ridges converted the three-point play to lead 9-5.

The Warriors evened the score at 10-all before a free throw by Jamal Thomas and a layup by BJ McLaurin gave the advantage back to the Hawks.

Two buckets by Ja'Darien Wade and a layup by BJ McLaurin helped the Hawks lead 19-13 before the media timeout at 7:29.  The lead would swell to double-digits, 25-13, as Isaiah Lewis connected from the floor and Tahkey Williams completed the rare four-point play.

Southern Wesleyan went on a 9-2 run to cut the deficit to 27-22 before BJ McLaurin ended the run with a jumper and Khalil Ridges dialed up long distance.  Ridges knocked down another triple before an outlet pass in the final seconds to Isaiah Lewis for the dunk ended the half, 38-26.

Second Half:

The Hawks' lead stayed consistent as Khalil Ridges and BJ McLaurin offset the SWU buckets.  Jaylen Dilliard and Isaiah Lewis got into the scoring in the half with a pair of buckets to maintain the lead, 48-37.

Ja'Darien Wade added two buckets and Isaiah Lewis added a jumper over the next five minutes as the scoring slowed for both sides, 55-42.

At the six minute mark, SWU cut the deficit to single-digits for the final time as a fast break layup by Isaiah Lewis pushed the lead to 11 and stayed in double-figures the rest of the way.  Khalil Ridges added a pair of layups.

Down the stretch, Jamal Thomas picked up four points at the charity stripe and Jaylen Dilliard scored in the paint to hold off the Warriors.

UP NEXT

Chowan remains at home to take on regionally-ranked Belmont Abbey on Tuesday, January 28.  Tip-off is slated for 7:30pm.