Seton Hill opened their season with a matchup with Chowan in the PSAC/CIAA Challenge at Slippery Rock University on Friday evening.  The Griffins led 30-26 at the half but were outscored 19-14 in the third and 15-12 in the fourth quarter as the Hawks rallied for a 60-56 victory.  SHU falls to 0-1 on the season while Chowan improves to 1-0 on the season. 

Neither team came out of the gates hot as Chowan held just a 4-2 lead midway through the first quarter.  A layup from Jessica Slagus and a jumper from Alexandra Hay gave SHU a 10-9 lead with 2:20 to play in the first quarter.  Chowan hit a jumper with 30 seconds to play in the quarter and held a 13-12 lead at the end of one period of play. 

Chowan scored the first six points of the second quarter to build their lead to 19-12.  Lindsey Mifsud hit a three pointer at the 6:28 mark to end the Hawks run.  After a Hawks bucket at the six minute mark, SHU went on a 9-0 run on buckets from Mifsud, Hay, Alexandria Deep and a three pointer from Maraih Wells to give the Griffins a 24-21 lead with 2:10 to play in the half.  Hannah Laslo completed a three point play and Hay hit a three pointer at the first half buzzer to give the Griffins a 30-26 halftime lead. 

Both teams battled early in the third quarter with neither team holding more than a three point lead after the Hawks hit the first basket of the half.  Two free throws from Jharrin Gill and a jumper from Halie Torris extended the Griffins lead to 43-38 with just over three minutes to play in the third quarter.  Chowan closed the quarter with a 7-1 run to take a 45-44 lead into the fourth quarter. 

After a free throw from Jenna Kaufman tied the score at 49 early in the fourth quarter, Chowan went on a 5-0 run to take a 54-49 lead with 6:38 left in the quarter.  Chrisanna Green hit one of two free throws and Gill hit two free throws to cut the lead to 54-52 with five minutes to play.  Laslo answered a Hawks basket with a basket of her own to keep the Chowan lead at two with 3:24 to play.  The Hawks hit two free throws with just over two minutes to play to push their lead back to four at 58-54.  Gill hit a layup with 28 seconds to play to cut the lead to 58-56.  The Hawks missed two free throws but SHU missed a three pointer and after grabbing an offensive rebound, turned the ball over.  Chowan hit both of their free throws to then ice the game away.

SHU held the Hawks to just 36% shooting from the field but 27 turnovers led to 26 Chowan points off turnovers.  The Griffins shot 42% from the field in the loss.

Lindsey Mifsud led the Griffins with 8 points.  Alexandra Hay finished the game with 7 points.  Hannah Laslo scored 7 points in her college debut.  Jharrin Gill, Kinross Obiefule and Jenna Kaufman each added 6 points.

SHU will continue play in the PSAC/CIAA Challenge on Saturday afternoon when they take on Virginia State.  Tip is set for 2 PM.