Box Score MORROW, GA- The Chowan University women's basketball team took the No. 24 Clayton State University Lakers into overtime before falling 71-68 on Friday night in the Heritage Bank Classic. The Hawks move to 6-1 on the season with the setback while the Lakers improve to 7-1 overall with the win.
Dhyamond Crenshaw drained 20 points for the Hawks while collecting 12 rebounds (six offensive, six defensive).
Mariah Coker added 10 points for Chowan while
Shaikeyla Jordan notched nine points in the contest.
Jordan Payne hauled in a team-high 13 rebounds (10 offensive, three defensive).
Tierra Johnson and Andrea Benford both scored 15 points for the Lakers in the win. Abreyln Rackley and Tweety Hawkins added 13 points apiece.
Johnson opened the contest with a bucket for Clayton State. With the score tied 4-4, a basket by Johnson led to a 6-0 run for the Lakers, leaving the Hawks trailing 10-4 at the 4:04 mark. Chowan fought to stay close on Clayton State's heels but trailed 16-10 by the end of the first quarter.
The Hawks and Lakers battled basket for basket in the second quarter. Chowan outscored Clayton State 19-17 over the course of ten minutes of play, but headed into halftime trailing 33-29.
After halftime, the Hawks pulled within three points on two occasions but were unable to overcome the deficit. Jordan's free throw at the end of the third quarter put Chowan within striking distance but Clayton State clung to a 49-46 advantage heading into the last ten minutes of regulation.
Crenshaw's layup followed by Payne's basket with 8:27 on the clock pushed Chowan ahead 50-49. After back-to-back buckets by Crenshaw, the Hawks maintained a 54-49 lead with 6:38 left in the game. The Lakers used a 5-0 run to knot the score 54-54 by the 4:37 mark. With 1:14 remaining and the score tied 60-60, Payne's free throw and a basket by Johnson handed Clayton State a narrow 62-61 edge. A Laker foul led to a free throw opportunity for
Courtni Williams. She made good on the second shot to knot the score 62-62, sending the contest into overtime.
Jada Lee opened the overtime period with a layup to give Chowan the momentum early. With the score knotted 66-66 and 2:50 on the clock, Williams hit a jumper to push the Hawks ahead. Rackley's layup tied the score once more before Monica Alexander's free throw gave the Lakers a 69-68 advantage. Hawkins hit two free throws for Clayton State with 10 seconds on the clock to secure the 71-68 victory.
The Hawks return to action on Saturday when Chowan takes on Armstrong State University. Tip-off is slated for 1:30pm.
