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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- In the second game in four days against the University of Mary Washington Eagles (2-1), the Christopher Newport Captains (2-2) fell in another close contest, 86-82. In four games this season, the Captains games have been decided by two-, two-, nine- and four-points respectively. Senior Conley Taylor led with 26 points and sophomore Tra Benefield added 25 for CNU.

The Captains took control of the game early, getting buckets on each of their first five possessions and racing out to a 12-3 lead behind seven points from Benefield. CNU built the lead to a game-high 12 twice, as late as 30-18 on a layup by Benefield with 9:44 to go in the first half.

Mary Washington responded with a quick surge, scoring 11 straight points in under two minutes to pull within one, 30-29. E.J. Willis led the way, scoring five of the 11 points, and his traditional three-point play with 5:33 remaining completed the comeback to tie the score at 32 apiece.

The Eagles closed the half on a 29-13 run to take a four-point lead, 47-43. Both teams shot well from the field in the first half, as UMW knocked down 48.7% (19-39) and CNU hit 42.5% (17-40). Benefield led the way for the Captains with 16 points and four rebounds.

In the second half, the game was a two-possession game for all but four seconds. The Captains tied the score four times in the frame and took the lead once, but the Eagles had a response for each big CNU basket.

The lead stretched to seven on a pair of free-throws by Sean Armstrong with 8:52 remaining, but four seconds later, Taylor knocked down a fast-break layup to get it back to five, followed by a three-pointer from rookie Mike Cherry to get back within two, 65-63.

The Eagles extended to six again with just over two minutes remaining as Braldye Riester hit a pair of free-throws, but the first of several big shots down the stretch from CNU was hit by junior point guard Paul Meredith. Rookie forward Nik Biberaj swung a quick pass to the corner and Meredith let a shot fly to cut the lead in half. On the ensuing inbounds, Meredith stole the pass and found Benefield under the basket for the easy layup to draw within one again, 78-77.

Riester answered for the Eagles with a big three with 1:10 showing on the clock, but Benefield stepped up with another huge shot on the other end. Luc Atangana found Benefield open in the corner and he knocked down a three to make it 81-80 with 38 seconds on the clock. UMW missed the free throws on the other end, but a CNU turnover gave Tad Dickman another chance to knock down shots from the charity stripe.

The Eagles hit three more free-throws down the stretch and held on for the narrow victory, 86-82, spoiling the Captains home opener. Walt Smith led the way for the Eagles with a triple-double, scoring 16 points with 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Three more Eagles finished in double figures.

Taylor scored a game-high 26 on 11-of-21 shooting, while Benefield poured in 25 on 9-of-19 with six boards and two assists. Meredith led the team in dimes with ten, and Atangana grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds, just missing a double-double with nine points.

CNU will return to action this weekend in the CNU Invitational, as they host Wesley on Friday evening, with tip set for 7:30 p.m.