MURFREESBORO, N.C. – The Chowan Men's Basketball team continues to get better every time on the floor as the Hawks went toe-to-toe with one of the top teams in the Conference Carolinas standings with an 81-76 loss to Emmanuel on Saturday afternoon.

THE BASICS

FINAL | Chowan 76, Emmanuel 81

RECORDS | Chowan 0-6 (0-4), Emmanuel 6-1 (5-0)

LOCATION | Murfreesboro, N.C. (Hawks Athletic Center)

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

Christian Koonce paced the team with 14 points, while Chase Barnett (13), Jay Estime (12), and Donavon Martin (11) scored in double-figures.  Cheick Traore tallied eight points and nine rebounds.  RJ Wilson added eight points, seven rebounds, and five assists.

Chowan shot a season-best 50% from the floor and 55% from behind the arc.  Chowan posted 12 turnovers in the second half with 19 overall leading to 31 points for the Lions.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Half:

Emmanuel scored the opening basket of the game before Christian Koonce connected from deep.  Aaron James added a jumper to lead 5-2 early.

Chase Barnett and RJ Wilson knocked down triples and Aaron James added a layup in transition to keep the advantage, 13-10.  Cheick Traore scored the next six points for the Hawks before Christian Koonce knocked down a three-pointer to lead 23-18.

Christian Koonce added a jumper and Jay Estime connected from deep to maintain the advantage.  Chase Barnett posted a jumper before Jaylen Dilliard added a layup and Donavon Martin posted a putback dunk to lead 34-28.

Emmanuel evened the score with less than 30 seconds remaining in the opening half before Jaylen Dilliard hit three free throws.  Donavon Martin added a pair of free throws before the end of the half to lead 39-34 at the intermission.

Second Half:

Donavon Martin started the scoring in the half with a jumper.  Christian Koonce knocked down a triple to offset two Emmanuel buckets.  Martin connected from keep to give the Hawks a 47-41 advantage.

Chowan pushed their lead to eight, 52-44, after a jumper by Jay Estime and a three-pointer by Chase Barnett.

Emmanuel countered with a 12-2 run to take the lead 56-54 with 11:18 remaining in the half.  RJ Wilson connected from the floor during the run.  Jay Estime knotted the game back up with a jumper sparking a 7-0 run for the Hawks.  Estime knocked down a triple and Chase Barnett added a jumper to lead 61-56.

The Lions would go on another run, 19-4, to lead by double-digits, 75-65, as the Hawks picked up points at the stripe.  Christian Koonce ended the run with a three-point play.  Chase Barnett knocked down a three-pointer before RJ Wilson connected from deep.  Donavon Martin added a layup as the Lions fought off the comeback at the stripe.

UP NEXT

Chowan takes on rival Barton in a Conference Carolinas clash on Tuesday, December 7.  Tip-off is slated for 7pm against the Bulldogs.