GREENVILLE – The upset was brewing.

After trailing by 11, Chowan rallied back to get within six points of East Carolina University with the basketball.

Jaleel Nelson buried a three-pointer and then was fouled after a steal. Nelson hit 1-of-2 from the line and the Hawks got the ball out of bounds under their own basket with just over 15 minutes to play trailing 39-33.

When Chowan couldn’t convert on the possession, it was the beginning of the end as the Pirates rolled off the next nine points to go up 48-33 as the cruised to a 68-50 win over the Hawks.

“We continue to have a problem with our outside shooting,” Chowan coach Jim Tribbett said. “That has been evident, especially since we lost Joe (Brice).

“As a result, that has put a lot of pressure on Trayvon (Lathan),” he continued. “Now he’s getting double teams and that makes it frustrating. I think that has a lot to do with his inconsistent play.”

The Hawks actually led East Carolina when Nelson started the game with a three-pointer to put Chowan up 3-0. ECU rallied back to score eight straight, keyed by a Jeremy Ingram three-pointer, to lead 8-3.

The Pirates had an 11-point working margin when Chowan went on a 6-3 run thanks to a pair of hoops by Daryl Poole to get within 30-22. ECU led 35-26 at the intermission.

While trailing at the intermission, the Hawks did out-rebound the Pirates 20-18 in the first half and led in second chance points (8-3) while being even (4-all) in fast break points.

“That we out-rebounded them in the first half was impressive,” Tribbett said.

After Chowan saw their chance escape, the Hawks did make another run at the Pirates, going on another 6-3 spurt to get within 53-41, but the Pirates held them at bay with nine unanswered to pull away for the victory.

Tribbett said he felt the opportunity to play ECU was good for the team and the community.

“I was proud of our effort,” he said. “We played hard start to finish. We looked like we belonged out there.

“It was great exposure for the university,” he continued. “It was good for the basketball program. We enjoyed the experience and enjoyed playing out there.”

The Hawks dropped to 5-9 on the season while East Carolina improved to 5-8.

ECU (68): John Fields n 14, Darrell Jenkins n 13, Jeremy Ingram n 10, Courtney Captain n 10, C. Farmer n 8, G. Blair n 7, G. Sargent n 3, J. Dillard n 2, T. Gagnon n 1

Chowan (50): Jaleel Nelson n 12, Travyon Lathan n 11, Lando Morrison n 11, D. Poole n 6, M. Williams n 4, M. Artis n 4, W. Hambrick – 2