NEWPORT NEWS, VA. - The Apprentice School closed out the 2009 portion of its schedule on Wednesday night falling 85-57 to the visiting Chowan Hawks.
A quick start by the Lady Builders gave them a 10-4 lead with 16:02 left on a three-point play from Ashley Johnson. Chowan answered with the next five points cutting the lead to 10-9 on a Najah Harris jumper at the 14 minute mark. From there the lead held for another four minutes before the Hawks tied it at 16-all on a steal and layup from Taylor Hughes with 9:55 remaining.
That layup was a part of a 30-9 run to close the first half as Talaya Lynch closed the half with five straight points giving Chowan a 43-25 advantage at intermission.
Apprentice School started strongly in the second half as they cut the deficit to 48-37 on a Tyisha Battle jumper with 16:17 left. That was as close as it got for the Lady Builders as Chowan answered with a 14-2 run over the next 4:31 to take a 62-39 lead on a Brittany Nicholson layup with 11:46 left. From there, the lead as close as 22 points the rest of the game.
The Lady Builders were paced by Shameka Warren with 17 points and five rebounds, while Battle added 15 points and eight rebounds. Chowan was topped by Lynch with 22 points to lead four in double figures. Nicholson added 15 points off the bench along with Najah Harris' 13 and six assists, while Ransheeda Jennings chipped in 12 points and six assists.
Apprentice School (5-8) now travels to Richmond and faces Virginia Union University on January 6 at 6 pm.