Shenandoah (10-7 overall, 6-2 USA South) erased a seven-point second half deficit to earn its first win over the Captains (10-9, 4-4) since January 30, 2002. CNU had won five straight in the long-time series between the two schools.
This win, coupled with Methodist's victory over Greensboro, puts Coach Rob Harris' club in first place by a half-game over GC. This is the first time that Shenandoah has led the USA South (nee Dixie) since 1996.
Up 36-35 at the half, the Hornets watched the Captains go on a 7-0 run from over a span of 1:49 to take a 47-39 lead with 15:40 remaining. SU finally snapped the scoreless streak with a Kenneth Purnell old fashioned three-point play at the 15:04 mark.
From that point, CNU maintained at least a four-point lead until the hosts finally cut it to three with 12:22 left. The Hornets took another two minutes to trim the deficit to two and finally tied it with 7:03 to play.
Three ties and two lead changes ensued before Shenandoah took the lead for good on a pair of James Brodie with just under two minutes showing on the clock.
SU then scored the final eight points of the game as the Captains missed five field goal attempts and fouled Shenandoah rebounders after all but the last attempt.
Purnell had a game high 24, Chris Rhone added 19 and Brodie 12 with 12 rebounds. Otho Hampton had 19, Brandon Brooks 12 and Mark Hepner 11 with 11 boards for CNU.
A complete box score and play by play can be found at http://www.su.edu/athletics/mb/020404.htm
Shenandoah travels to NC Wesleyan Saturday for a 4:00 USA South matchup.
Newspaper Box Score Christopher Newport vs Shenandoah Hornets 2/4/04 7:30 at Shingleton Gymnasium - Winchester, Va. At Shingleton Gymnasium - Winchester, Va. SHENANDOAH HORNETS 74, CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT 64 CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT (10-9, 4-4) HAMPTON, Otho 8-11 1-2 17; BROOKS, Brandon 6-9 0-0 12; HEPNER, Mark 5-6 1-2 11; ROMEO, Jeremy 2-13 1-3 6; SHORT, Jordan 2-4 1-3 6; BROOKMAN, Blake 2-7 1-2 6; SELDON, Dont'a 2-6 0-0 4; MURRER, Steven 1-1 0-0 2; PURDHAM, Adam 0-2 0-1 0. Totals 28-59 5-13 64. SHENANDOAH HORNETS (10-7, 6-2) PURNELL, Kenneth 6-18 8-9 24; RHONE, Chris 6-16 7-9 19; BRODIE, James 3-4 6-9 12; CAMP, Halston 4-6 0-0 8; JENKINS, Chris 3-5 0-0 7; ONUNAKU, Onyie 1-1 0-0 2; BRASHEARS, Chad 1-3 0-0 2; MYERS, Lenny 0-3 0-0 0. Totals 24-56 21-27 74. Christopher Newport........... 35 29 - 64 Shenandoah Hornets............ 36 38 - 74 3-point goals-Christopher Newport 3-20 (SHORT, Jordan 1-2; BROOKMAN, Blake 1-6; ROMEO, Jeremy 1-8; SELDON, Dont'a 0-3; BROOKS, Brandon 0-1), Shenandoah Hornets 5-18 (PURNELL, Kenneth 4-8; JENKINS, Chris 1-2; BRASHEARS, Chad 0-2; MYERS, Lenny 0-2; RHONE, Chris 0-4). Fouled out--Christopher Newport-None, Shenandoah Hornets-None. Rebounds-Christopher Newport 36 (HEPNER, Mark 11), Shenandoah Hornets 34 (BRODIE, James 12). Assists-Christopher Newport 15 (BROOKMAN, Blake 6), Shenandoah Hornets 9 (RHONE, Chris 7). Total fouls-Christopher Newport 20, Shenandoah Hornets 14. A-751