MURFREESBORO, N.C. – The Chowan University men's basketball team battled Francis Marion University into overtime on Tuesday evening, with the contest decided in the final seconds. Chowan carried a five-point lead into halftime, but Francis Marion drained a game-tying three-pointer in the closing moments of regulation to force overtime.

In the five-minute extra period, the Hawks struck first before the Patriots answered with a run to even the score. Francis Marion then converted the final basket of the night to secure a 97–95 victory.

THE BASICS

FINAL | Chowan 95, Francis Marion 97

RECORDS | Chowan (5-6,4-1) , Francis Marion (2-7,2-1)

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

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

Chowan and Francis Marion traded baskets to open the first half, with the Hawks building a lead of as many as seven points before the Patriots closed the half with a basket to trim the margin to 31–26 at the break. William Hynes paced Chowan in the opening half with seven points and two steals, while Damerius Summers and Damien Robinson each added six points. Robinson also pulled down eight rebounds in the first half alone.

William Hynes led the offensive charge to begin the second half, scoring the first seven points with a three-pointer and trips to the free-throw line. Israel Powell followed with a pair of free throws and a three, while Eric Gordon Jr. connected from beyond the arc to extend the run. A layup by Damien Robinson capped the run and gave Chowan its largest lead of the night—18 points—just five minutes into the half.

Francis Marion responded with timely shooting to work their way back into the contest, led by Cole Deptula, who knocked down six three-pointers in the second half. Deptula drained the game-tying three to send the contest into overtime at 87–87.

In the extra period, Chowan struck first on a layup by Markell Hollis, but Francis Marion answered with a 7–0 run, all scored by Deptula. The Hawks responded at the free-throw line, as Summers tied the game at 95–95 with 30 seconds remaining. The Patriots then converted a two-point basket, leaving Chowan three seconds to respond. The Hawks were unable to convert, and Francis Marion escaped with a 97–95 victory.

Five Hawks finished in double figures, highlighted by Damien Robinson, who recorded a season-high performance and his second consecutive double-double with 16 points, 12 rebounds, three steals, and a block. Summers led all scorers for Chowan with 24 points to go along with seven rebounds, two blocks, a steal, and an assist. Hynes added 14 points, five assists, three rebounds, two steals, and a block, while Powell and Hollis each chipped in 12 points. Powell also collected eight rebounds and four assists, and Hollis finished with five rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block.

As a team, the Hawks scored 21 points off Patriots turnovers, 38 points in the paint, 24 second-chance points, 22 fast-break points, and 20 points from the bench.

UP NEXT 

Chowan will head to Petersburg, Virginia, as the face Virginia State University in a non-conference matchup on Thursday, December 18 scheduled for 6:00 PM.