WINCHESTER, VA – The Christopher Newport University men's basketball team won at Shenandoah University, 75-52, Thursday night to earn their fifth straight win and third straight on the road. The win improves CNU to 13-5 overall and 6-1 in league play.

The Captains raced out to an early lead as Conley Taylor (Newport News, VA) buried two shots from beyond the arc and converted a three-point play in the first four minutes to help CNU build a 15-5 lead. Freshman Tra Benefield (Folkston, GA) added 14 of his 26 points in the first half and teamed up with Taylor to provide all of the offense that CNU would need to claim a 39-28 halftime lead.

Shenandoah was held to 36% from the floor during the half on 9-25 shooting as CNU applied constant pressure from their man-to-man defense. The Captains also doubled up on the Hornets' rebounding totals going to the break with a 28-14 advantage.

CNU opened the second half outscoring Shenandoah 7-1 to build a 17-point lead. CNU never let the lead drop to less than 11 points the rest of the way and led by as many as 25 as their constant defensive pressure held the Hornets to 24 second half points. 

Benefield led all scorer's with his 26 points and set the standard with a game-high 12 rebounds. The performance was Benefield's sixth double-double of the season. Taylor continued his torrid scoring this season with 24 points while senior forward, Mike Green (Norfolk, VA) added 11 points and 8 rebounds.

The Captains also established a new season-high by collecting 53 rebounds to the Hornets' 31.

CNU returns to action for a three-game home stand beginning Tuesday, February 1 when #9 Randolph-Macon visits the Freeman Center. The Captains and Yellow-Jackets tip off at 7:30 p.m. CNU will host conference rival N.C. Wesleyan on Saturday, February 5 before a 2:00 p.m. contest against Roanoke College on Super Bowl Sunday.