BOX SCORE

(MURFREESBORO, N.C.) The Chowan Women's Basketball team overcame a 20 point first half deficit to pull off a shocking 53-51 win against the Bowie State Lady Bulldogs. With the win, Chowan improves to 11-10 overall (8-5 CIAA, 6-1 North) and takes sole possession of first place in the division. Following the loss, Bowie State falls to 12-8 overall (8-5 CIAA, 5-2 North).

Bowie State came out of the gates strong, scoring the first eight points of the contest. Their defense came ready as well, holding the Hawks scoreless until the 16:25 mark. The Lady Bulldogs run continued, as they opened up a 15-2 lead with 13:16 remaining in the half. A three by senior Brianna Taylor (Upper Marlboro, MD, Riverdale Baptist School, Cheyney) gave Bowie State a 20-3 advantage with 11:35 to go in the half. The Lady Bulldogs made it 24-7 at the 9:02 mark and appeared ready to run the Hawks out of the Helms Center.

Chowan then turned a switch and began to cut into the BSU lead. Two Najah Harris free throws with 2:52 remaining cut the lead to 30-14. Brittany Murphy nailed a three with just over a minute left to bring the Hawks within 13 at 32-19. Talaya Lynch ended the half with a three pointer of her own to make the score at the half 32-22. Chowan ended the half on a 15-6 run over the final nine minutes of play.

Chowan continued to have the momentum as the second half opened, scoring the first four points and cutting the Bowie State lead to four. Bowie State opened the lead back up to nine at the 15:58 mark of the half. Two Brittany Nicholson free throws and a Najah Harris layup brought Chowan within three at 39-36 with 9:49 remaining.

Ransheda Jennings finished a layup and the resulting free throw with 5:01 left to give Chowan their first lead of the game, 44-43. Bowie State responded with five consecutive points to take a four point lead at the 3:35 mark. Talaya Lynch hit her second three of the night with 1:31 left to make the score 50-49.

Courtney Knight hit two free throws with 46 seconds remaining to grab a 51-50 lead for Chowan. Bowie State senior Lakisha Walker (Baltimore, MD, St. Frances Academy) hit one of two free throws for the Lady Bulldogs with 21 seconds on the clock to tie the game at 51. Knight took a pass from Jennings to nail the game winning layup with 13.9 seconds left to cap an amazing comeback. Chowan's defense did the rest of the work, forcing the Bowie State's Chanita Jordan (Philadelphia, PA, University City, North Carolina State) to take a contested shot.

Najah Harris led the Hawks' scoring attack with 14 points. Talaya Lynch finished the game with a double-double, scoring 10 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. The Hawks shot 71 percent from the free throw line for the game, including going eight-of-nine in the second half.

Bowie State shot a dismal eight-of-22 from the field in the second half and committed 25 turnovers overall.

Jordan led Bowie State with 15 points and nine rebounds. Junior Juliette Turner (Atlanta, GA, John F. Kennedy) scored nine points and senior Teaunsha Robinson (Baltimore, MD, Baltimore Polytechnic) added eight.

Bowie State will look to rebound from this setback when the Lady Bulldogs take on Elizabeth City State – Thursday (February 10) at 5:30 pm in ECSU's R.L. Vaughan Center.