NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Mike Green's 15-foot jump shot with 1.4 seconds left gave the CNU's men's basketball team a 71-70 win over York (NY) in the championship of the Captains Shootout Sunday evening.

The Captains led 69-67 with 1:39 to go on Thomas Whinnett's three-pointer. Omari Phipps' turn-around jumper in the lane with 1:02 left was good and he was fouled in the process and made the ensuing free throw, which put the Cardinals ahead by one, 70-69.

Christopher Newport missed its jumper on its next possession and was then whistled for a foul. Ryan Exum went to the line and missed the front end of a one-and-one. After CNU snared the rebound, the Captains called time out with 20 seconds to go.

Mark Blasingame received the ball in the corner and drew a double-team, leaving Green wide open for the game-winner.

CNU led by as many as seven in the second half, but the Cardinals would not go quietly. Trailing 60-53 with 8:44 to go, York scored eight straight to re-gain the lead. From there, it was a see-saw eight minutes, culminating in Green's game-winner.

The Captains got off to a quick start, scoring the game's first seven points, and 19 of the first 25 to lead by 13 with 12:37 left on Davon Barton's lay-up off a turnover.

Trailing by 13 with 10:54 to go in the opening half, the Cardinals mounted a comeback and out-scored CNU, 26-13, over the final 11 minutes to take a 35-33 lead into the locker room at the half. Omari Phipps lay-up with 23 seconds left put York on top.

The Cardinals finished 27-of-64 (42%) from the field, 9-of-21 (43%) from behind the arc and 7-of-13 (54%) from the free throw line. Nick Hamilton-Lopez paced York with 27 points on 9-of-18 shooting, including 8-of-13 from long distance. Phipps finished with 16 points and 10 boards while Marcel Esonwune added 16 and 12 rebounds.

Christopher Newport finished 29-of-61 (48%) from the floor, 7-of-17 (41%) from long distance and 6-of-7 (86%) from the charity stripe. Green led CNU with 18 points and eight rebounds. Mark Blasingame had 14 points, eight boards and five blocks. Theo Baker also scored 14 and Thomas Whinnett totaled 13 points.

Maryland Bible's Terry Hosley, Millikin's Tunde Ogunleye, York's Hamilton-Lopez (who also set the tournament scoring record) and Esonwune and Green were all named All-Tournament. The Captains Thomas Whinnett was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.

York falls to 3-11 on the year while CNU improves to 7-5. CNU returns to action next Saturday for the final non-conference game of the year against Randolph-Macon at 8:30 pm.

Box Score
Purchase Photos