RICHMOND, VA – The Chowan University women's basketball team overcame a twenty-point deficit over the course of three quarters to stun the #2 team in women's NCAA D2 basketball, Virginia Union University, 79-75. The Hawks mounted a steady but relentless come back that shocked the Lady Panthers, giving them their first loss of the 2016-17 season. Chowan used a balanced attack on both ends of the floor, with nine different players stepping up to score points at pivotal moments to seal the win.

First-year Head Coach, Latoya Jones, said her band of Hawks never gave up. "The team never got discouraged, even after being down 20 points. They stayed in the fight." 

No team in the Chowan's NCAA Division 2 history has upset a top five nationally ranked team. 

The thriller of a game saw six score ties and five lead changes, most of which game in the final quarter of play. The Lady Panthers showed why they were the #2 team in the nation in the first quarter after jumping out to a 29-12 first quarter lead. But the Hawks wouldn't go away. They went on to outscore Virginia Union over the course of the next three quarters, including dropping 29 points in the 4th quarter and holding the Lady Panthers to 16 fourth quarter points. 

Courtni Williams scored a team-high 16 points in the win while four other teammates notched double-digit outings. Sophomore guard Jada Lee came off the bench to score 14 points, with some key free throws in the waning seconds of the game that would help to ice the game for Chowan. Dhyamond Crenshaw scored 11 points and had two blocks while Jordan Payne and Danielle Weldon each chipped in 10 points. Payne also had eight boards and six assists. Senior guard Shaikeyla Jordan scored nine points, including some late game lay ups and free throws that helped to spark the Hawks on to victory. 

Brittany Jackson scored a game-high 30 points for Virginia Union University. 

The Hawks improve to 14-6 overall and 7-3 in the CIAA. The Lady Panthers fall to 18-1 overall and 9-1 in the CIAA. The Hawks will hit the floor again on Monday, January 30th when they travel to Livingstone College in a CIAA cross-divisional make up game.