NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Bouncing back after a heartbreaking end to regulation time, when Southern Virginia's desperation three-pointer at the buzzer bounced out of the basket, and then back in, CNU took control of the ensuing overtime to score a 93-82 victory to capture the CNU Invitational championship Saturday night at the Freeman Center.

After a deadlocked first half at 36-36, CNU grabbed the lead at 51-50 on a free throw by Theo Baker. The Captains held the lead the rest of the way, building as much as a 12-point margin at 70-58 on a three-pointer by Josh Russell. But the Knights cut the margin to just one on two occasions. Two free throws by Russell with eight seconds left put CNU up by three.

But a three-pointer at the buzzer by Ade Swan bounced out, hit the backboard, and then back in, to send the contest into overtime.

A layup by Xavier Parham with 3:43 to play in the overtime ignited a 13-1 CNU run the rest of the way, giving the Captains the tournament championship.

Mike Green paced CNU with a career-high 25 points and ten rebounds, while Russell added 23 points, also a career high. Mark Blasingame, who was named the tournament MVP, scored 14 points and had 15 rebounds, while Baker came off the bench to add 14 points and Parham contributed 12.

For the Knights, Bryce Pendleton scored 27 points and Ade Swan had 23. 

Blasingame was joined on the all-tournament team by teammates Green and Russell, Swan and Pendleton of SVU and Alphonso Wright of Wesley.

The Captains are now 2-2 and return to action Thursday at home against Maryland Bible at 7:30. Southern Virginia is 6-3.

The box score