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FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Christopher Newport University (4-3) erased a double-digit lead in the second half, but fell victim to a solid three-point shooting night from the host Mary Washington Eagles (6-2) in a 78-75 final. Rookie Tra Benefield led the way with 21 points for the Captains, while newcomer Paul Meredith had five assists in his debut.

Four different Captains were in double figures, led by Benefield, while Conley Taylor (17), Mike Green (15) and Brian Herrmann (15) joined the rookie. Mary Washington had 11 three-pointers made in the game, led by Matt Boward with four on the night. It was the first win for the Eagles over CNU since 1985, ending a 12-game winning streak for the Captains.

In the first half, it was the Captains who took an early lead, but the Eagles would counter with a barrage of three-point shooting, namely from E.J. Willis. The freshman guard knocked down three from long range and led Mary Washington in the first half with 13 points. The Eagles would hit seven three-pointers in the first half to take a 38-29 lead.

Benefield led the way for CNU, scoring eight points on 3-3 shooting with three rebounds off the bench. Also coming in as a reserve was Herrmann, who had six points and five rebounds in the first twenty minutes. 

CNU outshot the Eagles in the first half, knocking down 40% of their shots (10-25), but Mary Washington forced 13 first half turnovers and scored 16 points off of the takeaways, despite shooting just 32.3% (10-31) in the half.

Herrmann was key early in the second half as the Captains pulled back within one, at 53-52, led by Herrmann's six points. It would then be the Captains lone senior, Mike Green, that would take the reins to complete the comeback. Green had eight quick points as CNU tied it back up at 62 points apiece with 6:35 remaining in the game.

The Eagles would answer with back-to-back three's on their next two possessions to pull back ahead by six before the score would teeter back into a tie on a long three from Conley Taylor on the right side. The Captains would get three free-throws from Herrmann and Benefield to tie the game back up with just over a minute remaining.

Mary Washington's leading scorer, Tad Dickman, had just four points in the game, but the second bucket came with under a minute to go to give the Eagles a late lead, 75-73. The Captains were unable to erase the late lead as the Eagles came away with the 78-75 win.

Benefield finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds for his second double-double of the season, while Herrmann added 15 points and 10 rebounds for one of his own. 

The Eagles were led by Willis with 17 points, while J.R. Gray also added 17, including 9-12 from the charity stripe. UMW had a season-high-tying 11 three-pointers, led by Boward with four and Willis with three.

Christopher Newport returns to action this weekend as they stay out on the road to face Lynchburg at 7:00 pm on Friday, December 17.