MURFREESBORO – Chowan posted a win in its home opener as the Lady Braves took a 61-54 win over Apprentice School.

Chowan fell behind early after a basket and trey from Apprentice, but it was brief as Keyon Sellers converted a three-point play to put Chowan ahead 6-5.

Two foul shots from Sellers and consecutive baskets from Tawana Tucker extended the lead to seven (12-5).

Apprentice cut it to a one-point lead after scoring six unanswered points, but two Tucker buckets and two free throws from Alicia McMorris pulled Chowan back out front by seven, 18-11.

The Braves led by 10 with three minutes remaining, 31-21, their largest lead of the half.

Baskets by Brandi Coffer and Upenda Morton pulled the Builders within six.

Apprentice outscored Chowan 8-2 over the final minutes to pull within four, 33-29, at the half.

Chowan started the second half with three field goals from Sellers and a three-pointer off the hands of Joi Hazel.

After scoring 15 to Apprentice’s five, Chowan took their largest lead of the night, 48-34.

The teams traded baskets but the Builders could never cut the lead to less than seven, eventually falling, 61-54.

Tucker led the Braves with 22 points and 16 boards.

Sellers scored 18 and Hazel added 12 in the victory.

Apprentice struggled from the field, shooting 26 percent from the floor.

The Builders were also outrebounded by Chowan, 55 to 44.

With the win, Chowan improves to 3-2 overall.

&uot;Obviously, with this being the first home game for us, it was great to get a win,&uot; second year Lady Braves’ coach Pat Mashuda said. &uot;Our post players dominated the game with 40 points and 28 rebounds between them.

&uot;That was our focus going into the night,&uot; he added. &uot;They gave us matchup problems, so we had to work the ball inside and being able to do that was the key to our sucess.&uot;

Chowan (61): Tawana Tucker – 22, Keyon Sellers – 18, J. Hazel – 9, C. Addison – 4, A. McMorris – 3, N. Joyner – 2

Apprentice School (54): Rahshann Lewter- 16, Updenda Morton – 12, W. Lassiter – 6, D. Twyne – 4, B. Coffer – 4, N. Jones – 4, S. Cox – 3, T. Cooke – 2, K. Tyler – 2, T. Sanderlin – 1