
The University of Mary Washington men's basketball team dropped an 80-69 decision at fourth ranked Christopher Newport University on Saturday night in Newport News. The Eagles slip to 16-9 on the season.
In the early going, the Captaians jumped out to a 7-0 lead, but the Eagles chipped away immediately with a 10-0 run of their own, capped by a Ra'Shawn Cook layup with 11:50 left. A three pointer from senior Anias Saunders with 10:24 left gave the Eagles a 15-10 lead, and UMW didn't forfeit the lead until 24-23 with 5:24 remaining.
CNU battled back to take the lead, but three-pointers from Zack Blue and Saunders gave the Eagles a 29-28 advantage with 3:10 left. CNU regained the lead, but another three from Saunders took the lead back for the Eagles with 2:02 to go. A late CNU basket tied the score going to halftime, 34-34.
An early three pointer from senior Riley Welch gave the Eagles a 37-36 lead, and a Da'Shawn Cook layup with 15:09 left gave the Eagles a 41-39 lead. But CNU answered with a 13-0 run which would prove pivotal, and UMW trailed, 52-41, with 11:39 to go. The Eagles pulled to within single digits in the final minute, but were unable to pull closer.
Saunders led the Eagles with 23 points on 6-14 shooting from the field a 8-8 from the free throw line. Da'Shawn Cook scored 17 and Welch 12.
The Eagles shot 35.5% from the field (22-62), making 8-28 three point attempts and 17-18 free throws. CNU shot 45.3% (29-64), making 6-22 three pointers and 16-22 free throws.