The second ranked University of Mary Washington men's basketball team dropped its second game of the season in an 86-77 defeat at 12th ranked Christopher Newport University on Wednesday night in Newport News. The Eagles slip to 18-2 on the season.
The early going saw the teams trade blows, as the score stood tied at 10-10, 4:49 into the action. From there, the Captains scored eight of the next ten points, but the Eagles scored a pair of baskets, from Josh Seworder and
Kye Robinson, to draw to within 21-17 with 11:12 left in the half.
At that point, Robinson was whistled for his third foul of the game, but the Eagles steadied the ship, with sophomore guard
Ulysses Young taking over the primary scoring duties. First year guard
Anthony Lewis immediately hit a three pointer to pull the Eagles to within one, at 21-20, and Young tied the score with a basket with 7:07 left. A three point play from Young and a basket from
Jadon Burgess gave UMW a 27-22 lead, and five more points from Young extended the Eagle lead to 32-24, with 3:04 remaining in the half. CNU used seven free throws to close the half and draw even, at 36-36.
In the second half, Robinson opened the frame with a basket, but the lead was short lived, as Christopher Newport went on a 13-4 run in building a 49-42 lead, 3:24 into the action. The Captains extended the margin to 57-48, , and led, 65-56, with 9:10 left, before the Eagles clawed back to within 67-65 on a pair of Robinson free throws with 5:38 to go. But an 11-2 CNU run put the game away, as they held on for the nine-point win.
Young led the Eagles with 26 points on 8-13 shooting from the field, making 2-5 three point shots and 8-9 free throws. Robinson, despite missing the last ten minutes of the first half, scored 25 while going 9-20, and 6-6 from the line. Robinson and
Jadon Burgess each led with seven rebounds, and Robinson led with four assists.
The Eagles shot just 39.1% from the floor, making 5-18 three point attempts and 18-21 free throws. CNU shot 42.2% (27-64), making 10-20 three point attempts and 22-30 free throws.
UMW will return to action on Saturday, when the Eagles visit sixth-ranked Randolph-Macon College at 4:00 p.m.
