Box Score INSTITUTE, WV- The Chowan University women's basketball team opened the 2016-17 season with a 103-75 victory over West Virginia State University.  The Hawks start the year with a 1-0 record while the Yellow Jackets look to bounce back from a 0-1 mark on the season.  The Chowan women's basketball team fell one point shy of the school's single-game points record (104, vs. Mary Baldwin College, 2000). 
 
Jordan Payne led all players in the contest with 25 points and 18 rebounds (six offensive, 12 defensive) for the Chowan Blue and White. In her first collegiate  game, Mariah Coker scored 15 points while Dhyamond Crenshaw added 13 points and 10 rebounds (six offensive, four defensive) in the victory. Chantel Roberts recorded 11 points for Chowan. 
 
Aurreshae Hines led the effort for West Virginia State with 19 pints while Sydney Bates chipped in 10 points in the setback. 
 
Payne opened the contest with a free throw at the 9:13 mark for the Hawks.  With the score tied 3-3 with 7:01 left to play, Chantel Roberts drained a three-pointer to push Chowan ahead 6-3.  From there, the Hawks capitalized on a 13-3 run to take a commanding 19-6 lead with 3:55 on the clock.  The Yellow Jackets struggled to overcome the deficit, allowing the Hawks to a take a 23-15 lead into the second quarter. 
 
Chowan and West Virginia exchanged baskets early in the second quarter.  A three-pointer by Shaikeyla Jordan with 7:23 on the clock pushed the Hawks ahead 26-17. Back-to-back free throws by Roberts handed Chowan a 29-19 lead by the 4:16 mark.  The Hawks led by as many as 14 points in the second quarter before heading into halftime with a 44-35 lead.   
 
The Hawks maintained the momentum at the start of the third quarter.  With 5:19 on the clock, Crenshaw hit a layup to give Chowan a 56-45 lead. The Yellow Jackets answered with a 7-0 run, leaving Chowan clinging to a 56-52 lead at the 3:42 mark.  Back-to-back buckets by Payne gave the Hawks some breathing room, and propelled Chowan to a 73-57 advantage heading into the fourth quarter. 
 
Chowan dominated the fourth quarter.  The Hawks led by 19 points or more in the final ten minutes of play before closing out the contest with the 103-75 victory. 

Chowan returns to action on Sunday when the Hawks take on the University of Charleston (WV).  Tip-off is slated for 1:30pm.