Murfreesboro, NC – The Emmanuel Women's Basketball team traveled went head-to-head against the Chowan University Hawks today in conference play. The two teams were evenly matched early, with the Hawks leading by six at the break, 25-19. After a competitive third quarter, the home team outscored the Lions 18-12 in the fourth to secure a 57-45 victory. With the loss, the Lions fall to 4-10 on the season, 3-4 in conference action.
 
The Hawks got off to a hot start early in the first, jumping out to a 7-2 lead. The Lions would respond with a 5-0 run to tie things at 7-7 on a jumper by Maddie Futch. Naomi Roberts would give the Lions their first lead of the game on a layup to make it 11-9 with 2:22 to play in the first. In the first, the Lions shot 40% from the field (6-15) and the two teams ended the first ten minutes tied 13-13.
 
Abby Crawford hit a jumper to get the Lions started strong in the 2^nd, with a 15-13 lead. The Hawks would respond well to retake the lead,17-15 and the home team would hold onto the lead the remainder of the quarter. At the break, the Lions trailed by 6, 25-19. 
 
In the third, the Hawks started things off with a 6-0 run to increase their lead to 33-19. A jumper by Roberts and back-to-back threes by Roberts and Addie Penick would get Emmanuel within eight points of the lead, 35-27. The Lions would continue their comeback, with makes by Ade'Jah James and free throws by Roberts cutting Chowan's lead to four, 37-33. After the third, the Lions trailed by six, 39-33.
 
In the final quarter of play, Chowan quickly pushed their lead back to double digits with a 7-0 run to make it 47-33. Baskets by Crawford and Roberts would cut the Hawks lead to four with 2:46 to play, but Chowan would close out the game strong to earn a 57-45 win. In the fourth, the Lions were 5-11 from the field, connecting on 2-3 from beyond the arc. 
 
Two Lions ended the night in double figures scoring with Naomi Roberts leading the way with 20 points. Abby Crawford contributed 12 points and shot 50% (2-4) from three-point range. Crawford along with Ade'Jah James, Maddie Futch, and Addie Penick led the team in rebounds, grabbing four a piece. Penick and Futch also led the team in assists with three each.
 
Next up, the Lions will travel to Central, SC to take on Southern Wesleyan University on Wednesday at 5PM. For more information on Emmanuel University athletics, visit goeulions.com.