NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Senior Conley Taylor poured in his ninth 20+ point performance of the season and paired the scoring with a career night on the glass with 13 rebounds to lead CNU to its ninth straight victory. The Captains beat Shenandoah at home tonight, 77-58, led by the double-double from the six-foot senior guard.

CNU improves to 13-3 overall, 5-0 in the USA South, while the Hornets drop to 4-14, 2-3.

Christopher Newport led by as many as 12 in the first half, on a three-pointer by Taylor with 9:29 remaining, but the visitors chipped back to cut the halftime lead to just seven, 35-28. Both teams shot over 42% in the first half, and Shenandoah was 8-for-13 inside the arc.

Scoring leader Avery Green was missing for much of the first half due to foul trouble, but Bryce Mitchell stepped in to score a team-high 11 points for the Hornets to stay within striking distance.

Taylor nearly had his double-double in just the first half, knocking down 4-of-6 shots for 13 points and grabbing nine rebounds in the first 20 minutes. Rookie Nik Biberaj scored eight points in just eight minutes of action.

After trading baskets in the first four minutes of the second half, the Captains erupted for a 21-6 run to take a big lead, 58-39. The Captains heated up from beyond the arc, knocking down 5-of-9 shots from long range in the second half.

Sophomore Tra Benefield and rookie Mike Cherry led the way, scoring 13 and 11 points in the second half respectively. Benefield added eight rebounds in the second half. With 4:26 remaining in the second half, Benefield hit a trey to give CNU the biggest lead of the game, 71-48.

The Captains had an impressive night on the boards, outrebounding the Hornets 54-26, including 20 offensive rebounds leading to 16 second-chance points.

Taylor's career-high 13 rebounds were a game-high, paired with a game-high 20 points coming on 6-for-13 shooting. Benefield and Cherry each finished with 16 points, while Benefield just missed a double-double with nine total rebounds.

Shenandoah had four players in double figures, led by Green and Mitchell with 14 apiece. Xavier Alston added 13 points with six rebounds.

The Captains will hit the road for a big conference matchup this Saturday, January 21 as they take on Greensboro College. Tip is set for 4:00 pm as the two remaining undefeated teams in USA South action face eachother in Hanes Gym.