The University of Mary Washington men's basketball team dropped a tight 68-67 decision to Christopher Newport University on Saturday afternoon at Ron Rosner Arena. The Eagles slip to 15-8 on the season.

UMW opened the game strong, ith senior Anias Saunders connecting for a pair of three pointers to give UMW an early 6-2 lead. Jumpers from senior Riley Welch and Saunders pushed the Eagle lead to 10-4 with 15:18 remaining in the first half, and another Saunders triple gave UMW a 13-4 lead. Christopher Newport cut into the lead with a run, and the visitors gained the lead for the first time at 17-15 with 7:58 left in the first. 

UMW regained the lead at the six minute mark on a pair of Welch free throws, 20-19, but CNU responded to take a five-point lead with 2:57 remaining, 29-24. An Andrew Rowson three pointer cut the margin to 31-30 with 28 seconds left, with CNU scoring the final basket of the half to take a 33-30 lead to intermission.

The Captains used an early run to open up an 11-point lead, but a pair of Welch three pointers and a Saunders basket drew the Eagles back to with four, at 51-47, with 10:10 left. The teams traded baskets for the next several possessions, until an Emmanuel Aghayere free throw with 5:09 left pulled UMW to within 59-58.

Five straight CNU points proved to be the difference, but not before a basket from Da'Shawn Cook and a three pointer from Welch at the buzzer cut the final margin to 68-67.

Welch led the Eagles with 17 points, while Saunders scored 15 and Aghayere added 13. Zack Blue led UMW with eight rebounds.

The Eagles shot 36.9% from the field (24-65), making 7-26 three point attempts, and 12-21 free throws. CNU shot 40% (26-65), making 6-17 three point attempts and 10-17 free throws.

UMW will return to action next weekend at the C2C Tournament in Newport News, Va. Seedings and game times will be announced on Monday.