FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- Christopher Newport University held pace with the top of the league today, improving to 12-5 overall and 5-1 in USA South action with a 77-74 win over Methodist University (7-11, 2-3). The Captains are now in a three-way tie atop the league with Ferrum and N.C. Wesleyan. CNU had five different players in double figures, led by Conley Taylor with 22.

Methodist jumped out to an early first-half lead and was in control for most of the game. The Monarchs took advantage of poor CNU free-throw shooting in the first half (2-10) and extended the lead to double digits before the break. Terrell Stallings scored 16 points in the first half for Methodist, leading the Monarchs to a 47-38 lead at halftime.

Captains rookie Tra Benefield added 13 first-half points for CNU, while filling the stat sheet with four rebounds, a block and a steal to lead the way.

In the second half, Kyle Combs scored on the first possession to get Methodist their largest lead of the night, going up 11 at 39-28, but CNU answered early out the break, going on a 9-0 run over the next three minutes to pull back within two.

The remainder of the second half the two teams would battle back-and-forth with eight ties in the game. With two minutes remaining, Jacob Capin was fouled taking a three-point shot and went to the line with a chance to take the lead. He knocked down all three free-throws and CNU went up by two. After Methodist tied it back up at 66 the next time down the floor, the Captains would take control from the charity stripe.

Christopher Newport reversed the free-throw shooting woes from the first half and went a perfect 8-for-8 in the final minute and a half. Taylor knocked down four, while Mike Green and Capin each added two. In all, the Captains hit 12 straight free-throws in the final 3:20 of the game.

The Captains finished the game shooting 46.3% from the field, led by Taylor's 22 points. Benefield finished out with 17 points and 7 rebounds, while Capin had 14 points, Green 13 and Brian Herrmann added 10 for CNU.

Methodist was led by Stallings, scoring 22 points, joined by Kyle Combs with a double-double (10 pts, 10 reb) and Bryan Hockaday, who added 17 points and nine rebounds.

With the win, CNU improves to 5-1 in USA South action. Ferrum and N.C. Wesleyan are also at 5-1 so far this season. Christopher Newport returns to action this Wednesday, January 26 at Shenandoah University. Tip is set for 7:30 pm.