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BELMONT, NC – A sluggish opening quarter haunted the Chowan women’s basketball team against league-leading Belmont Abbey as the Hawks suffered a 66-55 setback in a Conference Carolinas contest here Monday evening.

Belmont Abbey (12-3; 9-0), ranked fifth in the D2SIDA Southeast Regional poll, posted 26 points in the opening quarter. Any hopes of a Chowan rally died in the fourth quarter where the Hawks connected on just 16.7 percent of their shots.

Destiny Robinson led the Hawks with 19 points to go along with five rebounds and three blocks. Imani Hickman added 10 points and eight rebounds. Meara Carter notched six points and eight rebounds.

Belmont Abbey started the contest on a 9-0 run before Carter hit a layup for the first basket of the contest for the Hawks. Robinson hit a turnaround jumper along with a jumper by Tyaysia Sharpe, but the Crusaders pushed their lead to double-figures, 16-6, midway through the opening frame.

Yasmine Brown connected from the floor before Demetria Bland knocked down a triple to cut into the deficit, 19-11. Belmont Abbey held the Hawks scoreless over a two minute stretch before Hickman hit a layup. Aniah Patterson hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to cut the deficit to 26-16.

Chowan still trailed by 10 (32-22) early in the second quarter before the Hawks closed to within 37-33 at halftime thanks to an offensive surge sparked by Robinson who connected on a pair of baskets and swished two free throws to highlight an 11-5 run. Patterson added a three-pointer and a free throw to that outburst.

Belmont Abbey started the second half with five quick points, but Robinson countered with three straight baskets. Bland connected from deep to trim Chowan’s deficit to 46-42.

Belmont Abbey rattled off six straight points to push their lead back to double-figures before settling for a 54-46 lead at the end of the period.

The Hawks were unable to mount a comeback in the fourth quarter where they connected on just 2-of-12 shots from the field.

Chowan (10-6 overall; 6-4 in league play) hits the road to take on Lees-McRae on Saturday, Jan. 21. Tip-off is slated for 2 pm.