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YORK, Pa. -- In the Captains first ever Capital Athletic Conference matchup, Christopher Newport drew undefeated York College (Pa.) and locked in what could be a preview of an entertaining rivalry from this point forward. Despite erasing a 16-point second-half Spartans lead, the Captains (5-2, 0-1) fell to the league opponent, 75-63, in a game that was certainly closer than the final score indicated. York improves to 8-0 overall, with a 3-0 start in league play.

Coming into the game, the 14th-ranked Captains had won five straight games and were taking on one of the nation's remaining unbeaten squads. The two teams battled all night, with York turning a modest four-point halftime lead into a big 16-point edge quickly in the second stanza, followed by a furious comeback by the CNU squad. The Captains would take the lead temporarily, but couldn't hold on from the road bench as the home team scooted back in front for the win. 

CNU anticipated a battle in the paint, facing one of the league's toughest front courts. In the first half, though, it was an impressive shooting performance from beyond the arc that gave the Spartans a big spark. In the first 20 minutes of the game, York knocked down eight three-pointers, tying their season high for an entire game. Leading the 8-for-15 performance was Jess Selby, going 3-for-4, while Brittany Hicks added a pair on three attempts as well. Hicks finished the first half with 12 points, adding five rebounds. 

Aside from the long-range attempts, CNU locked up York in the first half, holding the Spartans to just 5 made baskets in 27 attempts inside the circle. The Captains forced just six turnovers in the frame, but the strong interior defense kept the Captains in the game at intermission. Senior Nicole Mitchell had a big role in keeping CNU close, scoring nine points on 4-of-5 attempts from the field to lead the first half offense. 

After intermission, it looked like York might run away with an easy victory in the first five minutes of play. Both teams struggled on their first few possessions, but once Hicks knocked down a three-point play with 17:08 remaining, the flood gates opened on CNU. In a quick three-minute burst, a four-point halftime lead was up to 16, capped by a fast-break layup from Shea Wassel with 13:50 remaining. The 14-2 run looked to put York in control, but the Captains would not go away quietly.

Head coach Bill Broderick employed a full-court press and over the next four minutes, the momentum immediately shifted back the other way. The Captains grabbed five steals and made the most of their takeaways, clawing back to within one possession with 10:06 remaining. The aggressive defense led to a 12-0 run for CNU, getting back to within a pair, 52-50 on a couple made free-throws by Mitchell. Sophomore Kendra Stone knocked down a three and a transition jumper in the run, while Tia Perry had three steals and a traditional three-point play as well. 

After a pair of free throws by Kristen Haley halted the run, York traded baskets for the next couple minutes to build the lead back to eight. The senior class would take over, including an impressive rebounding performance by senior Andrea Hobbs. After a baseline jumper by Hobbs, she grabbed the first of three straight CNU boards, all leading to CNU buckets. A dribble drive by senior Chantal Thomas led to an open look for Mitchell, followed by a fast-break layup by Holland. Another offensive board by Hobbs gave Mitchell another look from inside, pulling CNU back within two again, 60-58, on an assist by Holland with 6:17 remaining.  

York point guard Aja Wallpher would convert just 1-of-2 from the free-throw line on their next possession and the comeback would be completed by CNU on the other end. Rookie Lauren Cox found Holland open on the right wing for a long three-pointer, tying the game at 61 points. On their next possession, Hobbs got another offensive board, her fifth,  and connected on a putback to give CNU it's first lead since the first half, 63-61, with just five minutes left on the clock.

York, ranked just outside of the nation's Top 25 according to this week's D3hoops.com National Rankings, showed veteran mettle in the final five minutes though, as Hobbs' bucket would prove to be the last for CNU. The Spartans defense held the Captains empty for the final stretch, and started to find open looks near the basket to grow the lead back for a final score of 75-63.

CNU got 16 points off of turnovers in the second half, and limited the Spartans' offense from long range to just one made three-pointer after halftime. The Captains were led by Mitchell, with 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting. Holland had 13 points, four rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals, while Perry added 12 points, four boards, four assists and three steals. Hobbs had a team-high nine rebounds.

The Spartans got double figures from four different players, including a game-high 21 from Hicks as part of a double-double. She added 10 rebounds to lead York, while Kristen Haley finished just shy of a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds. Wallpher was just 2-for-13 from the floor, but dished out 12 assists to go with five points. The team combined to go 14-for-15 from the free-throw line.

Christopher Newport will have the week off due to final exams, but will return to the hardwood next week against Lynchburg College. The Captains will travel to face the Hornets at 4:00 pm on December 15.