CHARLOTTE, N.C.—A first-year team in Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, the Chowan University Hawks scored big in their first game, beating the 2009 CIAA tournament champs the Golden Bulls of Johnson C. Smith University of Charlotte, 74-46.

With a 19-9 record, the Hawks obtained a bye and were seeded No. 4 for the tournament played at the Time Warner Cable Arena (home of the Charlotte Bobcats) on Thursday.

“We played well, were relaxed coming out of the gate,” said Hawks head coach Jim Tribbett during the post-game press conference. “We played on our toes and were the aggressor.”

The Hawks led 33-25 at the half and continued to increase the score in the second half to blow the hometown favorites out of the game. In the second half, the Hawks outscored the Golden Bulls, 41-21.

The Hawks had three players in double figures. They were Lando Morrison with 18 points, Jaleell Nelson with 17 points and Charles Rhodes with 15 points.

The Hawks were scheduled to play in the semifinals Friday night against the Falcons of Saint Augustine’s College of Raleigh, N.C. The game began at 9 p.m. and the score was not available by press time.