PETERSBURG, VA. – The Chowan University men's basketball team fell to Virginia State University in a non-conference matchup on Thursday evening. The Hawks and Trojans met for the second time this season, as Virginia State pulled away late to secure the 80-72 win. William Hynes posted a season-high outing, teaming up with Eric Gordon Jr. to pace the Hawks offensively.
With the result, Chowan moves to 5-7 overall and 4-1 in Conference Carolinas play.
THE BASICS
FINAL | Chowan 72, Virginia State 80
RECORDS | Chowan (5-7,4-1) , Virginia State (6-7, 1-2)
LOCATION |Petersburg, Va. (Multipurpose Center)
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
Chowan jumped out to an early lead against the Trojans, as Eric Gordon Jr. opened the scoring with a three-pointer. Virginia State responded, but the Hawks followed with a 9-0 run to take an early advantage three minutes into the contest. The Trojans answered with an 11-point run of their own before Markell Hollis knocked down back-to-back three-pointers to help Chowan reclaim the lead. The two teams traded scoring runs throughout the remainder of the first half, with Virginia State holding a 37-31 edge at the break.
William Hynes opened the second half at the free-throw line, but Virginia State soon built its largest lead of the game. Momentum swung back in Chowan's favor when Gordon Jr. connected from beyond the arc, followed by an and-one finish from Amari Gorham to spark a run. Baskets from Hollis, Joseph Lezeau II, Jalen Hines, and a three-pointer from William Hynes pulled the Hawks within four at 52-48. Hynes then drilled another three and added points at the line, while Damerius Summers attacked the rim and made three trips to the free-throw line to cut Virginia State's lead to three with three minutes remaining. The Hawks continued to push late, but the Trojans held on down the stretch to secure the 80-72 victory.
Hynes finished the night with 17 points on 4-5 shooting, going a perfect 3-3 from beyond the arc and 6-8 from the free-throw line, while adding four rebounds, an assist, and a steal. Gordon Jr. paced the Hawks early and ended with 16 points on 5-12 shooting, including 4-9 from three-point range and 2-2 at the line, along with three rebounds, three assists, and a steal. Summers contributed 12 points on 4-9 shooting, went 4-6 from the free-throw line, and added six rebounds and a block. Israel Powell chipped in 11 points with a rebound, an assist, and a steal.
As a team, the Hawks shot 40.4% (23-57) from the field and 33.3% (10-30) from three-point range, while converting 69.6% (16-23) from the free-throw line. Chowan totaled 11 second-chance points, 13 fast-break points, 14 points off turnovers, and 20 points in the paint.
UP NEXT
The Hawks will close out the year on Wednesday, December 31, traveling to Institute, West Virginia, to face West Virginia State University in a non-conference matchup. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 PM.
