Hawks stun nationally ranked UNC Pembroke

Published 2:43 pm Thursday, February 29, 2024

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PEMBROKE – Preston Le Gassick connected on a buzzer-beating three-pointer to send the game into overtime and Chowan University went on to upset nationally-ranked UNC Pembroke, 82-75, here Wednesday night in the regular season finale.

The win allowed the Hawks (19-8 overall and 13-5 in league play) to earn the #3 seed in the Conference Carolinas Men’s Basketball Championship. Chowan received a bye and await an opponent in the quarterfinals on March 8 in Spartanburg, SC.

Despite the loss, UNC Pembroke (21-6; 15-3) is the #1 seed for next week’s conference tournament. Emmanuel (24-5; 16-2) is seeded second in the tournament field.

Tied 67-67 at the end of regulation play, Chowan outscored UNC Pembroke 15-8 in the extra session to complete their upset. The Hawks went 3-of-5 from the floor, including 2-of-3 from deep, and connected on 7-of-12 free throws in the overtime period while the defense held UNC Pembroke to 3-of-12 from the floor.

Daylan Askew led the Hawks with 19 points, while Le Gassick chipped in with 16 points.

RJ Wilson collected a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Aaron Ross came off the bench to tally 13 points.

The Hawks stayed in the contest by using nine steals leading to 22 points off turnovers.

Chowan’s 19th victory this season tied the program’s Division II record for wins in a season. The win also marked the first victory over a nationally-ranked opponent in Chowan’s Division II era.