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FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Christopher Newport (5-2) narrowly missed a comeback win against the undefeated and nationally ranked University of Mary Washington Eagles (8-0) today, falling in a 52-48 final. The Captains erased a double-digit halftime lead by the Eagles in the second half but the home team held on in the waning minutes.
 
The Captains held with the 21^st Eagles early in the first half, tying the game at 15-all on a jumpber from sophomore Nicole Mitchell with 10:32 remaining. The bucket was the third straight for Mitchell as she led the way for CNU in the first half, scoring nine points.
 
After Andrea Hobbs scored the next six points for CNU, the Captains trailed 27-21 with less than five minutes to go. The Eagles would score the next seven points, though, to take the biggest lead of the half at 13 points, up 34-21. A three-pointer from Kelly Halverson and a pair of free-throws would cut the lead to ten at the break, 36-26.
 
Senior guard Katie Wimmer led the way for Mary Washington, scoring 17 points in the first half including a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line. The senior knocked down 5-of-9 shots, leading the way for a 56% shooting performance from the Eagles in the first half (14-25).
 
After halftime, the Captains defense ratcheted up as CNU roared back quickly. After a layup by Wimmer to open the period, the Captains ran off 12 of the next 14 points to tie things up at 40. The 14-4 run lasted over 11 minutes to start the second half, as the Captains tied the game on Tia Perry's first bucket of the game with 8:23 remaining.
 
Aubrey Howland ended the surge with a layup, and Wimmer dropped a long three-pointer to give the Eagles a two possession lead back. The rest of the game was back-and-forth as the defenses took over. Both teams were held to just three made field goals in the final eight minutes and with the lead, the Eagles held on from the free-throw line. Senior Jerlisa Bowser hit a big three with 55 seconds remaining to pull back within three, 49-46, but Aby Diop and Wimmer combined to hit three of four from the charity stripe in the final 35 seconds to seal the 52-48 win.
 
CNU was led by rookie center Camry Green, with eight points and a game-high eight rebounds. Mitchell and Bowser each closed out with a team-high nine points, while Hobbs had eight poinits and six rebounds for the Captains.
 
Wimmer finished with a game-high 24 points on 7-of-18 shooting as the only player in double figures. Carole Dye added six points, seven rebounds and a pair of blocks for the Eagles.

CNU returns home for one more game before the holiday break, as they take on Washington & Lee this Monday evening at 5:30 pm.