NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Christopher Newport's Theo Baker drained a three-pointer from the left corner with 1.6 seconds left to lift the Captains to a 74-71 win over NC Wesleyan Wednesday night at the Freeman Center.
The Captains led by five with 1:22 left after two Mark Blasingame free throws. The Bishops Trey Drake then went to the hole, drained a lay-up and was fouled and made the ensuing free throw to cut the lead to two. After a CNU turnover, Lamont Stokes was left wide open underneath the basket and Drake fed him a pass for an easy two points to tie the score with 15 seconds left.
The Captains Davon Barton brought the ball up, penetrated and kicked it back out to Baker who drained the game-winner with 1.6 seconds left. Drake's desperation three-pointer at the buzzer rimmed out.
The Captains got off to a hot start, leading by as many as 16, 41-25, with 3:57 left in the first half. NC Wesleyan chipped away at the lead and trailed by five, 41-36, at halftime.
Christopher Newport led throughout most of the second half. The Bishops tied the score at 51-51 with 11:36 to go, but CNU went on a 13-5 run to lead by eight with 7:43 remaining.
NC Wesleyan got the lead down to one, 67-66, with 2:20 to play, setting up the dramatic finish.
The Bishops finished 28-of-75 (47%) from the field, 4-of-22 (18%) from behind the arc, and 11-of-15 (73%) from the free throw line. Lamont Stokes led the Bishops with 18 points. Drake finished with 14 and five assists and Jarmel Arrington had 12. Alphonzo Frazier finished with 10 off the bench.
Christopher Newport shot 29-of-62 (47%) from the floor, 6-of-15 (40%) on three-point attempts and 10-of-17 (59%) from the stripe.
Baker led the Captains with 17 points. Barton had 13 points, 10 assists and six rebounds. Mark Blasingame added 13 points, 13 rebounds and seven blocks. Thomas Whinnett finished with 13 and Mike Green had 12.
The Bishops fall to 10-5 overall and 0-2 in USA South play while CNU improves to 9-6 overall and 2-0 in USA South action.
Christopher Newport returns to the hard-court Saturday when they host Averett at 4 pm.
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