MURFREESBORO – Chowan University suffered a tough loss at home here Saturday where visiting Barton College rallied past the Hawks, 24-20, in a non-conference football game.

Chowan led 13-3 at halftime, but Barton dominated the third quarter, limiting the Hawks to only six offensive plays while the visitors punched in a pair of touchdowns to take the lead for-keeps at 17-14.

The Bulldogs drove 86 yards in 11 plays to open the second half and scored on Trevor Nored’s 3-yard run. The PAT kick drew Barton to within 13-10.

Three snaps following the ensuing kickoff, Chowan lost a fumble, setting up a short scoring drive for Barton as Tay Long scored on an 11-yard run. With the PAT kick, Barton owned their first lead of the game at 17-14 with just under two minutes remaining in the third quarter.

After forcing Chowan to a three-and-out, Barton started another drive on the Hawks side of the field, driving 48 yards in seven plays capped by a one-yard TD run by Dakauri Davis. The PAT extended Barton’s lead to 24-13 with 10:19 left in the game.

Chowan answered with a scoring drive of their own. Highlighted by two passes totaling 24 yards from Maurice Smith to Jakobe Lane and a 15-yard personal foul penalty on the Bulldogs, the Hawks got to Barton’s 20 yardline where they faced a 4-and-2 play. Smith called his own number on that play, darting up the middle 20 yards to paydirt. Matthew Conord booted the PAT as Chowan sliced their deficit to 24-20 with 7:45 remaining.

The Hawks put together one final drive, using eight plays to get to Barton’s 38 yardline where a 4^th down snap came up short of the sticks and Chowan surrendered possession.

After an exchange of punts to start the game, Chowan got on the scoreboard first, using a 57-yard run by Smith to highlight a 72-yard drive capped by Smith’s 15-yard TD pass to Gabrial Jackson. The PAT kick was blocked, leaving the Hawks with a 6-0 lead.

Barton scored on a 39-yard field goal by Andrew Bontekoe later in the first quarter, cutting Chowan’s lead in-half at 6-3.

The Hawks answered with their best drive of the night, moving 75 yards in nine plays capped by a two-yard TD run by Jamison Davis. Conord added the PAT as Chowan moved ahead 13-3, a score that would prevail at halftime.

Chowan won the statistical battle, outgaining Barton 303 to 256 in total yards.

Smith accounted for 233 net yards (136 rushing on 16 attempts and 97 through the air on 12-0f-21 passing). Lane added 123 total net yards (70 receiving and 53 rushing).

Komari Clark and Charles Alberty led Chowan defensively with nine and seven total tackles respectively.

Long led Barton with a game-high 137 rushing yards on 22 carries.

Chowan (0-2 overall) is idle this week. The Hawks will be back in action on Sept. 28 when they host Mississippi College in a 1 p.m. conference game at James J. Garrison Stadium.