VA BEACH, VA – Christopher Newport's men's basketball squad suffered its first defeat of the season, falling 88-78 at VA Wesleyan Tuesday night.

 

The Marlins quickly sprinted out to a 12-5 lead with 13:52 to play. VA Wesleyan would increase its lead to as many as nine in the first half, 19-10, about midway through the opening stanza. The Captains would slowly chip away at the lead, eventually taking its first lead, 29-28, with 3:24 left in the first on Thomas Whinnett's jumper.

                 

VA Wesleyan responded by closing the half on a 13-4 run to lead 41-33 at the break.

 

Christopher Newport mounted a comeback late in the second half. Before the comeback, the Marlins extended their lead to as many as 13, several times in the second period. CNU went on a 15-6 to cut the lead down to as few as four, 82-78, with 32 seconds left, but that would be as close as they would get.

 

Christopher Newport shot 48% from the field, but just 29% from behind the arc and 57% from the free throw line. The Marlins finished shooting 46% from the floor, 44% from long range and 87% from the charity stripe.

 

Josh Russell led CNU with 16 points off the bench. Whinnett finished with 13 points and seven boards while freshman Brian Hermann added 13 points. Davon Barton added 10 points and seven boards.

 

VA Wesleyan improves to 3-2 on the year while Christopher Newport evens its record at 1-1. The Captains will host the CNU Invitational Friday and Saturday at the Freeman Center. Wesley and Otterbein will kick the tournament off on Friday at 5 pm. CNU will host Roanoke at 7:30 pm.