BELMONT, N.C. — The Chowan University men's basketball team controlled the contest from start to finish, earning a decisive 90–69 victory over Belmont Abbey College on Saturday evening. A balanced offensive effort saw five Hawks reach double figures, as Chowan improved to 6–3 in conference play.
THE BASICS
FINAL | Chowan 90, Belmont Abbey 69
RECORDS | Chowan (9-9, 6-3) , Belmont Abbey (5-9, 3-5))
LOCATION | Belmont, N.C. (Wheeler Center Belmont Abbey)
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
After a Belmont Abbey three-pointer, Chowan responded with three consecutive triples of their own to build an early advantage. The Hawks continued to find success from beyond the arc and at the free-throw line, shooting 52.9 percent (9-17) from three-point range and 85.7 percent (6-7) at the line to take a 45–30 lead into halftime.
Chowan carried that momentum into the second half, keeping steady pressure on the Crusaders and extending the lead to as many as 29 points with under seven minutes remaining. In the final 20 minutes, the Hawks shot 51.4 percent (18-35) from the field, 41.7 percent (5-12) from three-point range, and 80 percent (4-5) from the free-throw line.
Joseph Lezeau II led all scorers with 18 points in 20 minutes of action. He remained perfect at the free-throw line (4-4), pulled down eight rebounds, and added two steals, one block and an assist. Markell Hollis followed with 15 points, shooting 6-11 from the field and 2-4 from beyond the arc. Hollis also went a perfect 3-3 at the line while contributing two steals, one block, and one assist.
Damerius Summers finished with 12 points on 5-8 shooting and a perfect 2-2 performance from the free-throw line, adding seven rebounds and an assist. Damien Robinson and Eric Gordon Jr. each chipped in 11 points. Robinson went 5-7 from the floor, including a three pointer,, while recording nine rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Gordon Jr. knocked down three three-pointers and dished out five assists.
As a team, the Hawks recorded 36 points in the paint, 20 points off turnovers, 16 second-chance points, 11 fast-break points, and 42 bench points.
UP NEXT
The Hawks return to action on Monday, January 19, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, as they host King University with tip-off set for 5:00 PM in the Hawks Athletic Center