MURFREESBORO, NC – The Chowan University women's basketball team used a balanced to beat #8 Virginia Union University in their final regular season game of the year. With Saturday's win Chowan pulled off the home and away sweep of one of the top women's programs in the nation this season.

Chowan spread the offensive attack in the game with ten different players putting up points. Chowan's defense forced 15 Lady Panther turnovers which they converted into 19 points in the game.

Chowan trailed 22-18 after the first quarter but never got more than eight points behind. After hitting 43% from the floor in the first half, the Lady Panthers took a narrow 43-41 lead into the halftime break. The Hawks battled to stay within striking distance of the Lady Panthers the entire second half. They tied the game at two different points in the final four minutes of play and took the lead with just under two minutes to play. Jordan Payne hit two key free throws with just over a minute to play to help spread the lead to four points at 83-79. The Hawks defense went to work to hold Virginia Union off until the final buzzer.

Courtni Williams led Chowan's offensive attack with 16 points. She helped put the game away with a key three pointer with under two minutes to play, stretching the Hawks lead to four points. Shaikeyla Jordan posted 12 points while Mariah Coker and Danielle Weldon each chipped in 11 points. Chantel Roberts drained three, three pointers in the game and came away with 10 points.

Chowan hit 46% (30-66) from the floor in the win. Virginia Union hit shots at a 43% clip and were led by Brittany Jackson, who scored a game-high 25 points. Rachael Pecota scored 20 points.

The CIAA will determine the seeding in a conference call on Saturday night. The CIAA will release the official order of finish. Chowan will release the information once it becomes available. 

Chowan finished the regular season 17-9 overall and 10-6 in the CIAA. Their 7-3 CIAA Northern Division record is good enough for tie for first place in the CIAA Northern Division with Virginia Union (7-3) and Virginia State (7-3). The three teams all share a stake in the CIAA Northern Division regular season championship.

The CIAA Tournament Championship will begin Tuesday, February 21st, in Charlotte, North Carolina.