NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Christopher Newport's men's basketball squad took the regular season series from Averett, winning both games in overtime, including Sunday's 85-81 win at the Freeman Center.
The Captains led by one at the break, 39-38, and by as many as five in the second half, 46-41, with 16:41 left to play. Averett caught fire from behind the arc and hit five three-pointers in eight possessions to take its largest lead, 70-59, with 6:45 left in the second half.
Two possessions later, CNU cut the lead to six. The Cougars responded by promptly increasing their lead back to 11 with 3:34 to go.
After Jonathon Rumley's lay-up with 3:34 left, Christopher Newport scored the next 11 points to tie the score with 1:17 left on Thomas Whinnett's three-pointer. AU was held scoreless over the final 3:34 of regulation.
CNU had three opportunities with less than 30 seconds left to win the game in regulation.
In the extra session, AU's Brandon Malone was fouled and drained two free throws to give the Cougars a two-point lead. The Captains Michael Green promptly tied the score at 77 and Averett responded with four straight points to lead by four.
Conley Taylor's lay-up with 2:58 left in OT cut the lead in half and Davon Barton drained two free throws to tie the score at 81 with 2:06 to go.
Barton's lay-up on the fast break put the Captains ahead for good. Whinnett sealed it with two free throws with eight seconds left. In between, AU's Cory McDaniel missed a three-pointer that would have put his squad ahead with 13 seconds to go.
Averett was 26-of-63 (41%) from the field for the game, 11-of-31 (36%) from behind the arc and 18-of-22 (82%) from the line.
Malone led AU with 21 points off the bench. Rumley fouled out with 17 points, six rebounds and seven assists. Ryan Frazier finished with 14 points while McDaniel added 11 and six rebounds.
Christopher Newport finished 34-of-71 (48%) from the floor, 8-of-21 (38%) from long range and 9-of-9 from the line.
Whinnett led all scorers with a career-high 30 points. The junior was 10-of-14 from the floor, including 5-of-7 from long range and 5-of-5 from the line. He also had seven rebounds and five assists to go along with three steals. Barton finished with a triple-double, 12 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. Taylor added 11 in the win.
AU falls to 11-13 on the year and 5-6 in the USA South. CNU improves to 9-14 overall and 5-5 in conference action. The Captains return to action Friday when they travel to Greensboro with tip-off set for 7:30 pm.
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