MURFREESBORO, N.C. – The Chowan Women's Basketball Team opened the season with a dominating 89-57 win over the visiting Apprentice School in non-conference action on Friday evening.

THE BASICS

FINAL | Chowan 89, Apprentice School 57

RECORDS | Chowan 1-0, Apprentice School 0-1

LOCATION | Murfreesboro, N.C. (Helms Center)

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

Joanne Williams dominated both ends of the floor as the junior notched a school record 19 rebounds on her way to a double-double adding 15 points.  Williams tallied 12 offensive boards.

Five Hawks posted double-figures in the contest with Mariah Coker leading the way with 18 points.  Joanne Williams and Chantel Roberts notched 15 points each with Kaylah Henderson (14) and Dhyamond Crenshaw posting 12 points.

The Chowan defense tallied 21 steals in the contest with Joanne Williams and Kaylah Henderson leading the way with five apiece.   The Hawks used the turnovers to create 28 points.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Quarter:

Mariah Coker started the Hawks off fast with seven of the first nine points.  The Apprentice School would keep pace with the Hawks cutting their deficit numerous times to one before taking the lead 13-12 on two free throws with just under two minutes to play in the opening stanza.

Jumpers by Danielle Weldon and Jada Lee down the stretch gave the Hawks a 16-15 lead before the Builders hit a triple at the buzzer to take an 18-16 lead after the first 10 minutes of play.

Second Quarter:

The Hawks used a 7-0 lead to start the quarter to regain the lead 23-18.  Kaylah Henderson tied the contest at 18-all on a fastbreak lay-up.  Mariah Coker cleaned up the glass with a bucket in the paint before Jada Lee connected from behind the arc.

Following the media timeout, the Hawks' defense ramped up once again leading to a 12-2 run.  Kaylah Hendersonstarted the run with a steal and finishing at the other end of the floor.  Mariah Coker poked a pass loose as Dhyamond Crenshaw scored on the turnover.  Another Henderson swipe and finish forced a Builders' timeout with 2:58 to go in the half.

The Builders slowed the run with a basket but Chantel Roberts answered with a triple.  Dhyamond Crenshaw's three-point play ended the run with the Hawks leading 37-25.

Chowan led 37-30 at intermission.

Third Quarter:

Mariah Coker kicked things off in the second half with a triple off an inbounds pass from Jada Lee.  The Hawks continued to push the tempo causing turnovers by the Builders as Joanne Williams and Chantel Roberts pushed the lead to 51-35.

Mariah Coker completed the three-point play to continue the Hawks attack.  Sydnee Neal notched her first collegiate basket with 1:33 remaining in the quarter before Coker drained a three to give the Hawks a 60-43 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Fourth Quarter:

Back-to-back triples by Chantel Roberts and Kaylah Henderson put the Hawks up by 21, 66-45, just 1:45 into the quarter.  The Builders closed the gap to 16, 66-50, midway through the quarter before Chantel Roberts knocked down another three to push the lead back to 21.

The Hawks finished the game on a 10-2 run the final 90 seconds of the contest.  Joanne Williams and Kaylah Henderson posted three points each in the run along with Jordan Pettaway and Dhyamond Crenshaw scoring two points apiece.

UP NEXT

Chowan travels to Hickory, N.C. to face Lenoir-Rhyne in a non-conference game on Monday, November 13.  Tip-off is slated for 6pm.