The University of Mary Washington men's basketball team dropped an 81-65 decision against third ranked Christopher Newport University on Wednesday evening to fall to 8-8 on the season, and 4-5 in Capital Athletic Conference play. Johnny Cronin led the Eagles with 11 points, eight boards, and three blocks.

Both teams started off slow offensively, going scoreless in the first 2:32 of action until Cronin knocked down a free throw for the Eagles. The Captains scored five straight to take the lead, and held a lead over the next several minutes until A.J. Robinson drilled a three-pointer to tie the game at 15-15 with 10:11 left in the first.

Jamal Newton followed with a jumper to give the Eagles a 17-15 lead. Three more lead changes followed over the next two minutes, with CNU leading 22-20 with 8:05 left in the half. As the teams continued to exchange baskets, Alexander Brayboy hit a lay up to tie the score at 26-26 at the 4:33 mark. CNU responded, and scored 15 points in the final four minutes of the half, up 41-32 at the break.

The Eagles came out strong in the second, cutting the lead to three in the first five minutes of play on an Eric Shaw lay up. CNU answered and pushed the lead back to eight, but Cronin and Austin Hall hit consecutive lay ups to cut the deficit to four again, at 52-48, with 12:16 left in the game.

The Captains continued to build on their lead, and pulled away as they got hot from behind the three-point line, pushing the lead to 75-55 with just over five minutes left in the game. Robinson hit a lay up with 11 seconds left to cap all scoring at 81-65.

Cronin was 5-7 from the floor, while Robinson went 2-4 from three en route to 11 points. Shaw added 10.

Mary Washington shot 34.4% from the field (22-64), making 5-18 three-pointers and 16-22 free throws. CNU shot 47.5% from the field (29-61), making 11-23 three-pointers and 12-19 free throws.

The Eagles are back in action on Saturday as they host York (Pa.) at 7:00 pm in the Ron Rosner Arena.