MURFREESBORO – Don’t let their 5-3 mark overall fool you.

The Chowan College Lady Braves are undefeated where it counts – in the Conference USA South wars.

The Lady Braves continued their winning ways inside the league Saturday when they knocked off league rival Christopher Newport University by a count of 75-68.

&uot;Our effort was outstanding,&uot; first-year skipper Scott Groninger said of his team’s performance. &uot;I was very pleased we were able to get this victory and help us continue our solid start in the conference.

&uot;We beat a very good team this afternoon,&uot; Groninger added.

Despite a stingy defense, which held CNU to a dismal 34.3 percent shooting, the Lady Braves had to rally during the final five minutes to grab the conference victory.

Amber Hallman’s free throws with just over five minutes to play gave the Lady Captains a 60-59 edge, but Chowan used a hoop from Joi Hazel and a three-pointer from C.C. Vaughan to catapult themselves back in front at 64-all.

Sam Davis’ hoop with just under four and a half minutes to play, coupled with a pair of free throws from Hallman, helped Christopher Newport deadlock the contest at 64-all.

Tawana Tucker hit a free throw just before Christina Addison, Vaughan and Hazel rolled off consecutive hoops to push the Lady Braves into a 71-64 lead with just over a minute to play.

A pair of free throws from Hallman got the Lady Captains within five (71-66), but they got no closer as Vaughan hit 2-of-4 from the line and Tucker added another hoop with 15 seconds to play to seal the victory.

All five of Groninger’s starters scored nine or more in the contest with four of them hitting for double figures.

The Lady Braves used a 6-0 run – off hoops from Tucker, Hazel and Kara Jackson – to take an 8-2 lead out of the gate.

Jess Hutt drained a three-pointer to close the gap for the Lady Captains, but Jackson answered with a trey of her own.

Chowan’s lead got as high as seven (19-12) after Vaughan scored midway through the first half, but a Davis hoop for the visitors cut the Lady Braves’ lead to only two (25-23) at the intermission.

Lady Braves (75)

C.C. Vaughan – 23, Tawana Tucker – 16, Kara Jackson – 15, Joi Hazel – 12, C. Addison – 9

Lady Captains (68)

Amber Hallman – 22, Sam Davis – 13, Jenna Reese – 12, T. Lofton – 9, C. Bryant – 5, J. Hutt – 5, C. Morris – 2