WINCHESTER, Va. - League-leading Christopher Newport University led throughout the contest Thursday night in a 75-52 USA South Conference men's basketball victory over host Shenandoah.

The Captains (13-5, 6-1 USA South) earned a sweep of the season series with the 23-point win over SU (3-15, 1-6).

CNU was an 85-72 victor over the Hornets in the USA South Conference season opener for both schools three weeks ago.

Tra Benefield, who has been named as the USA South Conference Rookie of the Week in all but one week this season, got things started for the visitors with a short jumper 15 seconds into the contest.

Conley Taylor, the league's leading scorer, then added a three-point play following a missed Kevin Kline turnaround jumper and CNU would own at least a three-point lead the rest of the way.

Trailing by 14, Shenandoah made its most sustained run thanks to a 9-2 run over a four-minute span late in the first half.

The Hornets were able to cut the deficit to seven, 32-25, following a Eugene Edwards free throw with 3:34 remaining, but the Captains scored seven of the final 10 points of the stanza to take a 39-28 lead into the halftime lockerroom.

The lead remained in double-digits throughout the second as SU struggled to an 11 for 38 (28.9 percent) shooting performance from the field.

CNU also dominated on the glass, outrebounding the Hornets 53-31 while holding leading rebounder Mitch Dudley four rebounds below his season average.

Dudley did lead Shenandoah on the boards - he was one of three players to grab six.

Benefield led all scorers with 26 points and had 11 of the Captains 51 rebounds.

Taylor backed him up with 24 points.

Dudley was the only SU player in double figures. He had 16 points.

The Hornets are back in action on Sunday at 4 p.m. at N.C. Wesleyan.