MURFREESBORO, N.C. – The Chowan Men's Basketball team finished off their first season of competition in the Conference Carolinas with a win over Limestone on Senior Night on Tuesday evening.
THE BASICS
FINAL | Chowan 82, Limestone 75
RECORDS | Chowan 10-16 (7-13), Limestone 4-24 (3-17)
LOCATION | Murfreesboro, N.C. (Helms Center)
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
Senior Michael Kelly tied a career-high with 23 points on his way to a double-double with 13 rebounds. BJ McLaurin became the first Hawk to finish a season with a double-double average after scoring 19 points and grabbing eight rebounds.
Jaylen Dilliard scored 18 points, while Khalil Ridges netted 15 points. Jamal Thomas had eight rebounds and eight assists on the night.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half:
On the first possession, seniors Michael Kelly, Ugljesa Portic, and Ta'Sean Young would force a miss.
Khalil Ridges put the Hawks on the board with a putback before BJ McLaurin connected from deep. Michael Kelly scored the next four points and Jaylen Dilliard chipped in with four points to lead 13-7.
Michael Kelly sparked the crowd with a transition dunk early. Kelly would add a tip-in to keep the Hawks in front 17-13.
Limestone took an 18-17 advantage before Michael Kelly added a layup to regain the lead. The Saints would take the lead back with a three pointer but a bucket by Jaylen Dilliard and a three point play by BJ McLaurin shifted the lead back to the Hawks, 24-21.
Michael Kelly and Jamal Thomas posted a layup before Jaylen Dilliard connected from deep and BJ McLaurin added a jumper to lead 33-28.
The duo of Jaylen Dilliard and BJ McLaurin did the same thing following a run by the Saints to lead 40-33 with 1:08 remaining.
Limestone hit a three pointer before the end of the half to trail 40-36.
Second Half:
Jaylen Dilliard and Michael Kelly put the Hawks on the board in the half to maintain the lead. Khalil Ridges knocked down a triple after the Saints tied the game.
Tahkey Williams hit a three in transition to push the lead to six, 50-44. Khalil Ridges and Michael Kelly offset the points by the Saints before a three pointer and a dunk by BJ McLaurin expanded the lead to eight, 59-51.
Limestone cut the deficit to one, 61-60, with 8:12 to go with a 7-0 run. Michael Kelly ended the run with a putback layup and Jamal Thomas added a layup. Khalil Ridges connected from deep and Kelly added another layup to lead 70-64.
After a three minute stretch of scoreless action, Khalil Ridges knocked down a triple. The Saints would not go away easily cutting the deficit to three, 75-72, with 1:31 remaining.
Khalil Ridges connected from the floor before a 1-2 effort from the line by Michael Kelly had the Hawks up six. Limestone would hit a three pointer with 35 seconds left, but Michael Kelly ended the hopes with a dunk.
BJ McLaurin finished off the contest with a pair from the stripe to win 82-75.
UP NEXT
Chowan finished the season with a 10-16 overall record and 7-13 in Conference Carolinas play. The Hawks say farewell to Michael Kelly, Ugljesa Portic, and Ta'Sean Young.
