NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Christopher Newport's men's basketball squad held off a late push by Mary Washington to defeat the Eagles, 81-73, Saturday night on day two of the Captains Shootout.
The Captains led by double digits throughout the majority of the first half, taking its largest lead of the opening stanza, 14 (42-28), into the locker room at halftime.
Davon Barton needed just five points to reach 1,000 in his career and the junior guard drained two three-pointers early in the first half to reach the mark. He became the 24th player in program history to reach the mark.
In the second half, the Eagles came out firing, as they erased a 16-point Captains lead and took a two-point lead. The Eagles first lead of the game came with 10:25 left in the second half on two free throws by Brandon Altmann. CNU quickly tied the score at 56-56 but UMW re-gained the lead, 57-56 just moments later.
Thomas Whinnett's jumper in the paint put Christopher Newport ahead to stay with 5:38 left. The final nail came when Whinnett drained a three-pointer from the left-wing as the shot clock hit zero that put the Captains ahead by nine with 1:04 remaining.
Barton's four free throws in the final minute sealed the win.
UMW finished 23-of-63 (37%) from the floor, 11-of-33 (33%) on three-point attempts and 16-of-20 (80%) from the free throw line. Matt Hale paced the Eagles with 22 points. Altmann added 18 and a game-high 13 rebounds while Justin Baker also finished with 18 points along with eight rebounds. Jon Pierce finished with 10.
Christopher Newport finished 30-of-56 (54%) from the floor, 10-of-22 (46%) from long range and 11-of-12 (92%) from the charity stripe. Barton led five CNU players in double figures with 20 points, nine assists and six rebounds. Whinnett added 17 points and a team-high seven rebounds. Theo Baker scored 12 of his 14 points in the first half. Conley Taylor added 12 and Michael Green had 10 off the bench.
Mary Washington falls to 6-4 while the Captains improve to 3-9. CNU returns to action next Sunday when they host Maryland Bible at 2 pm.
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