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MURFREESBORO – Keibra Hopkins connected on just two shots here Wednesday evening, but one came at just the right time.

The junior forward from Portsmouth, VA tipped in a teammate’s miss just before the final buzzer as Chowan knocked off regionally-ranked and previously undefeated Mt. Olive, 70-68, in Conference Carolinas women’s action.

The Hawks used the win to remain among the league leaders as Chowan improved to 11-5 overall and 11-3 in conference play. Mt. Olive fell to 11-1 (9-1).

Aniah Patterson led Chowan with 19 points. Destiny Robinson recorded a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Demetria Bland and Brianna Copeland tallied 10 points each.

Laila Harris (19), Ivanda Hudjakova (15), and Ayonna Cotton (10) led Mt. Olive.

Chowan led by five (55-50) in the early stages of the fourth quarter before Mr. Olive mounted a comeback. Later in the period, Robinson scored on back-to-back possessions to keep the Hawks in front, but a Mt. Olive basket evened the contest at 68-68 with 1:11 remaining.

Chowan had two great looks at the basket on their next possession but could not regain the lead. Chowan’s defense stood tall on Mt. Olive’s ensuing possession to force an air-balled three-point attempt.

With 7.6 seconds remaining, the Hawks drew up a play. The first shot inside the paint failed to find its mark, but Hopkins was positioned in front of the rim for the tip-in before time expired for the victory.

Mount Olive used a 10-0 run during the opening period to lead 16-4 before Bland knocked down a three-pointer to counter with a 7-0 run for the Hawks. Back-to-back baskets by Robinson closed the gap to 16-11, but the Hawks trailed 20-13 at the end of the opening stanza.

The Trojans opened their lead up to 24-13 before Patterson connected from the floor and Copeland dialed up a triple. Copeland and Robinson traded points with UMO to close the gap to 28-22.

Trailing 32-22 with 3:47 remaining in the half, Chowan went on a 6-0 to cut the deficit to four, 32-28 as Patterson, Robinson, and Hopkins tallied two points each.

Mount Olive pushed back before Olivia Gaither knocked down a jumper to trail 37-31 at the intermission.

Chowan used a 20-6 run in the third quarter to swing the momentum in the regional showdown. After an early bucket by the Trojans, Chowan went on a 10-0 run to take their first lead in the contest, 41-39. Tyaysia Sharpe started the run with a fastbreak jumper. Patterson and Robinson tallied a pair at the stripe before the pair posted back-to-back buckets.

The Trojans would rally to take a slim lead with four quick points prior to Patterson adding a pair at the line and Copeland knocking down a three-pointer. Patterson picked up two more points at the line and Robinson posted a layup to lead 51-43 at the end of the third quarter.

Chowan will look to continue their momentum as the Hawks welcome North Greenville and Converse in a Conference Carolinas weekend. The Blue and White take on NGU on Friday, February 4 at 5 pm.