MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. – The University of Mount Olive men's basketball team dropped a 79-66 decision to Chowan on Wednesday evening inside Kornegay Arena.

The Trojans faced an early deficit as the Hawks opened the game with a strong first half, building a 42-22 advantage at the break. Mount Olive responded after halftime, outscoring Chowan 44-37 in the second half, but was unable to overcome the early margin.

Redford Dunton led all Trojans with a game-high 22 points, going 8-for-13 from the free-throw line, while also pulling down 15 rebounds for a double-double. Raul Perez added 11 points.

Mount Olive finished with 41 bench points and forced 17 Chowan turnovers, converting those opportunities into transition offense. The Trojans also held the Hawks to 34.8 percent shooting, but Chowan's rebounding edge and first-half efficiency proved decisive.

The Trojans will look to carry their second-half momentum forward as they continue Conference Carolinas play later this week as they play host to Converse on Church Night in a 7 p.m. matchup at Kornegay Arena.