WINSTON-SALEM, NC-
BOX SCORE The Chowan University women's basketball team dropped a 51-35 decision to the Winston-Salem State University Lady Rams on Saturday night in a CIAA crossover match-up.
The Hawks led the Lady Rams throughout the first half, but Winston-Salem State used 19 second chance points and 26 points off turnovers to pull out the win.
Talaya Lynch led the Hawks with 14 points with
Janelle Murphy and
Summer Curtis chipping in six points each for Chowan. Tareka Cesar netted 13 points for the Lady Rams, followed by nine points apiece from Somolia McKenney and Taylar Wells.
A three pointer from
Janelle Murphy put the Hawks ahead 3-0 to start the game. Although the Lady Rams remained close, Chowan was able to maintain the lead throughout the first half. Courtney Springs' lay-up five minutes into the game gave the Hawks a 6-2 lead. The four point lead was the largest of the half and of the game for the Hawks.
Both teams traded baskets through the remainder of the half. With the game tied 19-19 at the 1:41 mark, Winston-Salem State's Jovonah Graham gave the Lady Rams a 21-19 advantage with a lay-up. Murphy answered back with a three pointer for the Hawks with six seconds remaining in the first half, allowing Chowan to take a 22-21 lead heading into halftime.
Wells sunk a lay-up for Winston-Salem State to start the second half allowing the Lady Rams to pull ahead 23-22. Winston-Salem State used a spread offensive attack and took advantage of turnovers and second chance points to maintain the lead for the rest of the game.
With Winston-Salem State leading 32-24 with 11:59 left in the game, Lynch's lay-up for the Hawks cut the Lady Rams' lead to five. Winston-Salem State answered back with a 10-0 run to grab a 42-27 lead at the 7:27 mark.
Vanessa Weston's lay-up with just under six minutes to play gave the Lady Rams a 47-29 advantage over the Hawks, their largest of the contest. Chowan was unable to cut the deficit and fell 51-35 to Winston-Salem State.
After Saturday's loss the Hawks sink to 1-12 overall and 1-4 in CIAA play. Winston-Salem State improves to 9-6 overall and 4-1 in the league.
Chowan heads to Salisbury, NC on Monday to take on the Livingstone Blue Bears. Tip-off is set for 5:30 pm.
