MURFREESBORO, N.C. – A last second shot from the baseline would not fall for the Chowan Men's Basketball team as the Hawks dropped to 0-8 on the season with a 69-68 loss to Francis Marion in Conference Carolinas action on Wednesday afternoon.
THE BASICS
FINAL | Chowan 68, Francis Marion 69
RECORDS | Chowan 0-8 (0-6), Francis Marion 4-4 (2-4)
LOCATION | Murfreesboro, N.C. (Hawks Athletic Center)
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
Jay Estime paced the Hawks with a season-high 25 points. Chase Barnett and Jaylen Dilliard added eight points each.
Chowan shot 50% (16-32) in the second half to cut into a five point halftime deficit.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half:
Chase Barnett put the Hawks on the board with a jumper in transition. Francis Marion would go on a 10-2 run to lead 13-4 as Daylen Askew scored a layup during the offensive stall.
Chowan would counter with a 10-0 run to take the lead 14-13 as Daylen Askew started the run with a three-pointer. Donavon Martin posted an alley-oop from Askew before Askew scored in transition off a pass from Aaron James. The run was capped off by a Jay Estime triple.
Following a pair of free throws by the Patriots, Aaron James knocked down a triple. FMU pushed their lead to 21-17 before Jay Estime connected on a pair from the stripe. The Patriots would counter with six quick points to lead 27-19.
Chowan would pull within two, 27-25, after a 6-0 run as Xavier Young knocked down a triple and Jaylen Dilliard went 3-3 from the line. FMU took a 30-25 lead into the locker room.
Second Half:
Jaylen Dilliard connected on a putback bucket to start the scoring for the Hawks in the second half. Jay Estime knocked down a triple and RJ Wilson added a putback layup to keep the score close, 34-32.
Jay Estime sparked a run with a three-pointer before Cheick Traore dunked in transition. Estime hit a deep-two and then another three-pointer to give the lead back to the Hawks 42-39.
The lead would swap hands for a couple possessions as Chase Barnett connected from the floor and Jay Estime knocked down a triple and a jumper to lead 49-47. RJ Wilson pushed the lead to 51-47 after a pair of free throws.
Chowan extended their lead to 55-49 after a jumper by Donavon Martin and Chase Barnett with 8:45 remaining. The Patriots made good use of their time, ending the Chowan momentum and prompting a 10-0 run to lead 59-55 with 6:37 remaining.
Jaylen Dilliard knocked down a three-pointer before Jay Estime hit a pair from the stripe to regain the lead 60-59 with 5:13 remaining. Chase Barnett connected from the floor to end a short drought for the Hawks to lead 62-61.
After Cheick Traore scored on a putback, the Patriots would take a three point lead, 67-64, as Jay Estime hit a jumper and Donavon Martin hit a pair of free throws with 34 seconds remaining to lead 68-67.
FMU hit a pair of freebies with 11 ticks left. The Hawks had seven seconds left after the Chowan timeout. The drawn up play allowed Jay Estime to put up a contested shot on the baseline that would bounce off the rim at the buzzer.
UP NEXT
Chowan wraps up the 2021 year with their final home game before the break as the Hawks take on King in a Conference Carolinas contest on Saturday, December 18. Tip-off is slated for 4pm.
