CHARLOTTE, N.C.
The Chowan University Lady Hawks could not fight back the determination of the Lincoln University Lady Lions, and suffered a 73-71 surprise defeat in their opening round of play on Wednesday in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association basketball tournament.

Playing at Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina, the Lady Hawks entered the tournament seeded No. 1 for the northern division of the CIAA, and were playing against the No. 5 team also of the northern division of the CIAA, the Lions of Lincoln University.

After a slow start by the Lady Hawks and being behind 18-22 at the end of the first quarter of play, the Hawks fought hard in the second quarter to take a 40-28 lead at the half. The Lady Hawks completely dominated the Lions in the second quarter and outscored them 22-6.

Returning to play in the second half, the Hawks held a comfortable lead but the Lions continued to chip away at it. With 5:38 remaining the third quarter, the Lions cut the lead to nine points. The Lions next dropped a 3-pointer to cut the score to 48-42 with 4:34 left in the quarter. The quarter ended with the Hawks ahead 55-52.

For the final quarter of the game, the Hawks managed to push the lead to as high as seven points early in the quarter but the Lions roared back and went ahead 65-66 with 3:53 left to play. Jada Lee for the Hawks put them ahead for the last time, 71-70 with 1:24 left in the game.

In scoring for the Lady Hawks, Courtni Williams led in scoring with 16 points followed by Jordan Payne with 15 points and Dhyamond Crenshaw with 10 points.

The Lady Lions had three players in double figures. They were Teira Pendleton with 20 points, McKenzie Spencer with 14 points and She’cquan Bailey with 13 points.