Box Score MURFREESBORO- The Chowan University women's basketball team opened CIAA play with an 80-59 win over Shaw University on Saturday evening.  The Hawks improve to 8-2 overall on the year and post a 1-0 mark in the league with the win while the Lady Bears drop to 2-7 overall and embark on CIAA play with a 0-1 record. 

Jordan Payne led all players in the contest with 20 points in the victory.  She also hauled in a game-high 15 rebounds (eight offensive, seven defensive).  Chantel Roberts added 15 points in the victory with Courtni Williams and Jada Lee notching nine points each. 

Imani Heggins scored 18 points for the Lady Bears with Bianca Maxwell contributing 15 points in the loss.  Heggins and Maxwell both grabbed 10 rebounds for Shaw over the course of the contest. 

The Hawks worked their way to a 14-12 lead by the end of the first quarter.  After gaining the momentum early in the contest, Chowan stretched their lead to as many as 13 points (30-17) by the 5:38 mark before heading into halftime with a 34-26 advantage. 

Chowan opened the third quarter with a 16-6 run to take a commanding 50-32 lead by the 5:39 mark. The Hawks maintained a lead of 12 or more points in the remainder of the contest before cruising to the 80-59 victory. 

The women's basketball team returns to action on December 13th when Chowan plays host to Fayetteville State University.  Tip-off is slated for 5:30pm in the Helms Center.