NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Host Christopher Newport University erased a double-digit first half deficit on its way to an 82-75 USA South Conference men's basketball victory over Shenandoah.

Shenandoah (1-10, 0-1 USA South) led by as many as 15 points with just over seven minutes to play in the opening period only to see CNU (8-4, 1-0 USA South) rally.

The Captains scored 25 of the final 31 points of the first to take a 39-35 lead at the break and never trailed again.

Conley Taylor, the current USA South Conference Player of the Week, had 10 of the hosts 25 points in this run while freshman Tra Benefield added five.

Senior Brandon Bryan had five of the Hornets six points in the final 6:19 of the half, hitting a layup at 7:02 and a 3-pointer at 6:25.

Shenandoah could get no closer than two points in the second, the last when Mitch Dudley converted a layup with 7:15 remaining.

Christopher Newport answered with a 15-4 run over the next five minutes to clinch the victory before SU scored the final six points of the game.

Senior Kevin Kline had 27 points and 10 rebounds for the Hornets to bring himself with 28 points of cracking the 1000 point mark for his career. The double-double is his first of the season.

Bryan and Dudley backed Kline up with 19 and 15 points, respectively.

Taylor had 24 points for the Captains.

CNU also won the battle of the boards 39-37.

Shenandoah opens up its home USA South Conference slate on Saturday at 4:00 against N.C. Wesleyan.