The University of Mary Washington men's basketball team fell to Christopher Newport University, 75-71, on Wednesday night in Ron Rosner Arena. The Eagles fall to 17-7 overall, and 11-6 in the CAC. Stewart led UMW with 20 points on 9-16 shooting.
In the early going, Eric Shaw scored the first four points for the Eagles and it was tied up 4-4 just 1:45 into the game. Over the next 3:34 both teams stalled as nobody scored. After a CNU three-pointer, the Eagles went on a 8-1 run to take the lead 12-8 with 10:45 left.
From there, the Captains reeled off 17 straight points to take the lead 25-12 with 7:14 remaining in the first half. Johnny Cronin put an end to that run with a layup that was assisted by Jacob Williams. After CNU pushed the lead to 15, the Eagles scored six straight to get it to within nine, 29-20, with 4:25 left.
The two teams traded buckets but CNU pushed the lead to 13, 36-23, on a layup. Khiorie Stewart closed the half on a 6-0 run to bring it within seven, 36-29. Stewart led the Eagles with 11 points in the first half.
The Eagles started out the second half hot as they scored the first four points, two from Shaw and two from Drew Johnson to cut the lead to two, 36-34. Cronin scored four straight to keep the game within two, 39-37, with 17:41 left. The Captains went on a run and pushed their lead to seven, 46-39 with 15:03 remaining.
UMW went on a 10-0 run to take the lead 49-46 on a three-pointer from Mark Madison with 12:28 left. After CNU regained the lead 52-50, Shaw nailed a three-pointer from the top of the key to give the Eagles a 53-52 lead.
The Captains went on a 12-0 run to regain the lead at 64-53 as they hit four straight three-pointers. UMW cut into the lead and got it to within five, 66-61, on a Stewart layup. CNU pushed the lead to 69-61, but UMW scored four straight to cut it to four points, 69-65, on a jump shot from Madison.
Madison nailed another three-pointer and they cut it to two, 72-70, with 1:16 remaining in the game. The Eagles couldn't get any closer as they fell 75-71.
Shaw scored 17 points and hauled in seven rebounds. Madison scored 15 points and pulled in five rebounds. Johnson had a game-high four steals. Cutch Ellis led the Captains with 19 points.
The Eagles shot 42.0% (29-69) from the field, making 5-17 three-pointers, and 8-15 free throws. The Captains shot 45.0% (27-60) from the field, making 12-31 three-pointers, and 9-14 free throws. UMW dished out 13 assists and recorded 11 steals.
UMW will be back in action against Marymount on Saturday at 3 p.m.