Christopher Newport University Men's Basketball

NC Wesleyan Downs Men's Basketball 82-69 In Quarters Of USA South Tournament

GREENSBORO, NC - For the second time in as many years, the CNU men's basketball team was defeated in the quarterfinals of the USA South Conference Tournament to the same team that defeated the Captains last season, NC Wesleyan, 82-69, Thursday afternoon.

The Captains, coming off two 20-point wins this past weekend, could not equal the solid shooting the team had last weekend. CNU trailed at halftime 34-26. The Captains shot just 11-of-34 (32%) from the field, 2-of-10 on three's and just 2-of-5 from the free throw line. The Bishops, however, went 14-of-34 (41%) from the floor, 5-of-14 (36%) on three's and 1-of-4 from the free throw line.

In the second half, the Captains trailed by as many as 17, 57-40, with 11:08 left in the game but managed to chip away and cut the lead to six, 61-55, with 6:50 left in the game on a lay-up by Blake Brookman. The two teams went scoreless for 2 minutes and 30 seconds before NC Wesleyan's Jarvis Cobb nailed a three with 4:19 left in the game to increased the lead to nine. CNU would not get any closer the rest of the way.

The Bishops shot 12-of-30 (40%) from the floor, 5-of-11 (46%) on three's and 19-of-23 (83%) from the charity stripe. The Captains finished the second stanza 15-of-34 (44%) from the field, 5-of-14 (36%) on three's and 8-of-12 (67%) from the free throw line.

For the game, NC Wesleyan was 26-of-64 (41%) from the field, 10-of-25 (40%) from behind the arc and 20-of-27 (74%) from the free throw line. CNU finished 26-of-68 (38%) from the floor, 7-of-24 (29%) on threes and 10-of-17 (59%) from the free throw line.

The Bishops were lead by Jarvis Cobb's 24 points on 6-of-13 shooting including 6-of-11 from behind the arc a perfect 6-of-6 from the charity stripe off the bench. Ramone Spears finished with 18 points and nine rebounds, Lenny Hall added 18 points and five assists and Richard Carr finished with 10 points.

The Captains were lead by Roderic Carey's 18 points and 11 rebounds. Jeremy Romeo also finished with 18 points and Dont'a Selden finished with 12 points off the bench. Steven Murrer contributed eight points and 11 boards in his final game.

NC Wesleyan is now 10-16 overall and return to action Friday in a semifinal game in the USA South Tournament. CNU finishes the year 18-8 overall.