COMPLETE GAME NOTES - AT #2 FERRUM (USA SOUTH SEMIFINALS)

FERRUM, Va. -- Christopher Newport University (18-8), the third seed in the ongoing USA South Men's Basketball Tournament, heads out on the road for the semifinal round to face second-seeded Ferrum College (22-4) Friday night at 7:00 pm. The Captains and Panthers split the regular season series, with each team winning on their home floor.

This season, the USA South Athletic Conference adjusted the format of the postseason tournament, moving to home sites throughout, with the higher seed hosting. That change means CNU will have to travel to Ferrum's home floor for Friday night's contest.

Christopher Newport will be without the services of First Team All-Conference guard Conley Taylor, who suffered a season-ending injury against Greensboro in the regular season finale. Still, rookie and Second Team All-Conference guard Tra Benefield was sensational in his postseason debut in Taylor's absense, scoring 31 points with 12 rebounds. CNU will also lean heavily on senior and First Team All-Conference forward Mike Green, who played well against Ferrum in both contests earlier this season.

CNU won over the Panthers at home, 80-67, handing the nationally ranked Ferrum squad just their second loss of the season. Then, CNU traveled to Ferrum in the second to last weekend of the season and forced the Panthers into overtime. Ferrum pulled away in extra time, winning 95-83 behind solid free-throw shooting.

Ferrum enters Friday night's contest with high hopes of moving on to the USA South Championship game on Sunday. USA South Player of the Year Derek Mitchell scored 36 points and hauled in 17 rebounds in the opening round game against Averett. Mitchell and All-Conference guard Keith Crump will lead the way for the Panthers against the Captains.

A live video webcast will be available through Captains Sports Live on CNUsports.com. Live play-by-play with Francis Tommasino can be heard on the CNU/Pepsi Radio Network on Xtra 99.1 FM, with the pre-game show starting at 6:40 pm.

For complete rosters, statistics and more information, check out the GAME NOTES.