MURFREESBORO, N.C. – Cheick Traore cleaned up the glass for a program best 20 rebounds on the way to the Chowan Men's Basketball team's fourth straight victory in a 74-62 victory over Converse in Conference Carolinas action on Saturday afternoon.

THE BASICS

FINAL | Chowan 74, Converse 62

RECORDS | Chowan 7-11 (7-9), Converse 5-17 (4-12)

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

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

Cheick Traore posted nine points and a Division II program record 20 rebounds.  Traore broke for Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Year, BJ McLaurin, rebounding mark.

Daylen Askew poured in a team-high 16 points, while Jay Estime tallied 11 points and Christian Koonce scored 10 points.

The Hawks tied a season-high with 21 assists on 27 made baskets.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Half:

Chowan opened the contest on an 8-0 run to force a Converse timeout.  Christian Koonce and Jay Estime connected from deep and Marcus Elliott hit a layup in transition.  Daylen Askew hit a three-pointer to offset the Converse triple.  Koonce knocked down another trey to lead 14-5.

Cheick Traore added a putback layup before Converse went on an 8-2 run to close the gap to 18-13.  Jay Estime tallied a layup during the spurt.  Marcus Elliott ended the run with a jumper before the Valkyries scored the next five points to trim the deficit to 20-18.

Chase Barnett and Cheick Traore posted a pair of buckets before Barnett connected from deep to lead 27-19.  Daylen Askew knocked down a triple and Donavon Martin recorded a dunk to lead 32-26.

RJ Wilson posted a jumper to spark a 12-0 run to end the half.  Donavon Martin posted a dunk before Chase Barnett posted a layup in transition along with Daylen Askew and Jay Estime connected from deep to lead 44-26 at the intermission.

Second Half:

The run continued for the Hawks into the second half as Jay Estime knocked down a jumper to start the scoring.  Christian Koonce hit a pair from the stripe and a jumper before Cheick Traore picked up a point at the stripe to lead 51-26.

Converse switched up the defense allowing a 16-3 run for the Valkyries.  Jay Estime added a free throw and RJ Wilson posted a jumper.  Cheick Traore ended the run with a pair of freebies to lead 56-42.

Daylen Askew notched the next seven points picking up a three-pointer, a jumper, and a pair at the stripe.  Marcus Elliott added the next four points to push the advantage to 67-47.   Cheick Traore added a layup before the Valkyries closed the gap to 71-59.

The Hawks emptied their bench as Paul Whitby knocked down a triple to end the scoring for the Hawks.

UP NEXT

Chowan is slated to take on Barton on the road in Conference Carolinas action on Tuesday, February 8.  Tip-off is slated for 7pm.