MURFREESBORO, N.C. – The home opener for the Chowan Men's Basketball team did not go as planned for the return of head coach Rob Burke as the Hawks fell to Elizabeth City State 74-61 in non-conference action on Sunday afternoon.
THE BASICS
FINAL | Chowan 61, Elizabeth City State 74
RECORDS | Chowan 0-3, Elizabeth City State 2-2
LOCATION | Murfreesboro, N.C. (Hawks Athletic Center)
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
Jaylen Dilliard paced the Hawks with 17 points going 5-7 from behind the arc. Christian Koonce chipped in with 14 points on 6-9 shooting. Donavon Martin added 12 points. Martin and RJ Wilson tallied seven rebounds each. Cheick Troare added six rebounds and four blocks.
The Hawks committed 21 turnovers in the contest with 16 coming in the opening half. ECSU used those turnovers for 23 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half:
Jaylen Dilliard gave the Hawks an early 4-2 lead with a three pointer. Cheick Traore went 1-2 from the stripe. Dilliard knocked down another triple before Traore and Jay Estime connected from the floor to lead 11-6.
Elizabeth City State went on a 7-0 run to take a slight lead before Jaylen Dilliard hit a jumper. Aaron James swapped a basket with the Vikings before ECSU went on a 20-6 run to end the half as Donavon Martin scored the final six points for the Hawks to trail 35-21 at the break.
Second Half:
The run continued for the Vikings pushing their advantage to 42-21 before Chase Barnett scored in transition. Christian Koonce, Calvin Ahoume, and Barnett connected from the floor to offset the ECSU baskets, 49-29.
Christian Koonce knocked down a jumper followed by a pair of free throws by Donavon Martin. Jaylen Dilliard knocked down a trey to spark a 15-4 run for the Hawks to cut the deficit to eight, 56-48. Martin added a layup along with a jumper by Koonce and another three-pointer by Dilliard. Koonce added a jumper and Dilliard connected once again from deep.
The Vikings countered with an 11-2 run to move the score to 67-50. Donavon Martin posted a pair of free throws. Jay Estime and Christian Koonce picked up points at the stripe. Koonce added a jumper and Estime knocked down a triple to cut the deficit to 73-59 with just over a minute to play.
Christian Koonce posted a layup for the final tally in the contest.
UP NEXT
Chowan hosts #16 (D2SIDA) UNC Pembroke in Conference Carolinas action on Tuesday, November 30. Tip-off is slated for 7pm following the women's contest.
