MURFREESBORO – Rest must have been just what the lady Braves needed as they returned to action here Wednesday evening following a two-week hiatus with an 83-57 win over the Bennett College Belles.

The Lady Braves, who had not played since winning the championship game of the Keystone College Tournament on December 18, improved their overall record to 9-1.

The game was never really in question as the Lady Braves simply dominated the boards, out rebounding Bennett College 55-36.

Tawana Tucker, a junior from Suffolk, Virginia, led the way, snatching 14 boards, seven of which were offensive.

She was followed closely by freshman Keyon Sellers who came off the bench to grab 11 rebounds.

Those second-chance opportunities created easy shots for the home team and they were able to pull away whenever the Belles attempted to trim the lead.

Bennett College did manage to cut the Chowan lead to nine before Lady Braves skipper Patrick Mashuda reinserted senior guard Kara Jackson back into the game.

Five minutes later the Chowan lead had stretched to 26 and the Belles went into halftime looking to overcome a 46-20 deficit.

Chowan’s reserves got most of the playing time in the second half as Coach Mashuda cleared the bench.

Everyone on the Braves roster scored in the game and although the Belles played much better in the second half, the reserves refused to give up ground, clinging to their 26-point lead until the final whistle.

Coach Mashuda was pleased with his teams play, especially his upperclassmen.

&uot;Tawana I thought had a great first half (14 points & 13 rebounds) and is good enough to do that most nights&uot; Mashuda said.

&uot;Kara comes in and doesn’t have to score points to be productive; that’s the sign of a true leader.&uot;

Mashuda was also pleased with the way his team executed offensively.

&uot;We did a good job of penetrating the zone and attacking the weakest area,&uot; said the coach.

&uot;We have worked very hard in practice and that showed tonight.&uot;

The Lady Braves will place their nine-game winning streak on the line when Chowan plays host to NC Wesleyan College on January 12. That contest is set for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off at the Helms Center.