The University of Mary Washington men's basketball team dropped a tight 53-49 decision at Christopher Newport University on Wedenesday night in Capital Athletic Conference action in Newport News, Va. The Eagles fall to 3-13 overall and 3-6 in CAC action.

The Captains jumped ahead first, but a three pointer from sophomore Matt Forrest gave UMW the lead at 5-4 with 14:54 left in the first half. The lead would change hands four times in the next minute, before the Captains reeled off seven straight points to take a 16-8 advantage with 11:29 remaining.

The lead ran back and forth between two and five points for the majority of the remainder of the half, but the Eagles used three pointers from Brent Mahoney and Taylor Johnson to take a one-point advantage at 23-22 with 46 seconds left. After CNU hit a three pointer, Eric Shaw connected for the final basket of the half, tying the score at 25-25.

Neither team would connect on a field goal in the first four minutes, but, after a CNU basket, sophomore John Lutkenhaus connected for a three pointer to give UMW a 29-28 lead with 13:50 to play. The Captains would score seven straight to take a 35-29 lead with 12:17 left.

With the CNU lead at six, Lutkenhaus and Shaw scored back to back baskets to cut the deficit to 37-35, and each time the Captains would extend the lead to five, the Eagles would stop the run.

Trailing by six with 4:30 left, Johnson hit a pair of free throws and Brent Mahoney hit a three pointer to cut the score to 47-46 with 3:06 left. CNU again built the lead to five, but Asa Scott hit a three pointer with 58 seconds left to cut the score to 51-49. The Eagles had two opportunities to tie the score, but were unable to come up with the tying basket.

The Eagles shot 36.7% from the field (18-49), making 6-18 three pointers, and went 7-9 from the free throw line. CNU shot 35.1% from the field (20-57), with 6-29 three pointers and 5-8 free throws. The Captains led in rebounds, 40-30.

Lutkenhaus led the Eagles with 11 points on 4-8 shooting, with a three pointer and two free throws. Johnson scored nine points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Eagles.

Mary Washington will host York College of Pa. on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. in another CAC contest.