Playing in its first CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) Men’s Basketball Tournament, Chowan routed defending tournament champion Johnson C. Smith 74-46 Thursday in the quarterfinal round at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte.

No. 4 seed Chowan (18-9) lost twice to the No. 5 Golden Bulls during the regular season. This time, the Hawks led 33-25 at halftime, still led by eight with 11 minutes to go, and then blew the game open by holding Johnson C. Smith without a field goal for the last 10:38 of the game.

Senior guard Jaleel Nelson (Lakeland) had 17 points, eight rebounds and four assists for CU. Junior forward Mark Brown (Nansemond River) added eight points, seven rebounds and three assists.

“We played well, were relaxed coming out of the gate,” said Chowan head coach Jim Tribbett. “We played on our toes and were the aggressor,” he said.

Elizabeth City State, the tourney’s No. 7 seed, moved through the play-in round of the tournament Wednesday with a 70-59 win over Fayetteville State, then scored a big upset over No. 2 Bowie State, 68-56, Thursday.

Guard Marquie Cooke (Nansemond River) had 15 points and three assists for the Vikings (15-14) against Fayetteville St. Cooke had eight points, three steals and two assists against Bowie St.

Elizabeth City St. faced No. 6 Shaw and Chowan took on No. 1 St. Augustine’s in Friday night’s semifinals in Charlotte. The final is set for Saturday at 6 p.m.