FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- Powered by a 16-0 run to start the second half, the 16th-ranked Christopher Newport men's basketball team surged past Methodist University (3-8, 0-2) in USA South action on the road Saturday, pulling away for a 68-48 win. Senior Jon Snead poured in seven straight in the run and triggered a big second half by the Captains, who improved to 10-1 on the season with a 3-0 mark against conference opponents. 

CNU trailed at halftime, 25-22, thanks to a big 14-5 run by the Monarchs at the end of the first half, but turned their fortunes around early in the second behind Snead's efforts. The 6-4 senior, playing in his first game since December 18, picked up the second half start out of the locker room. He got an aggressive steal on the opening play and over the next four and a half minutes, led the big Captains run. A fast-break layup and free-throw started a run of seven straight by Snead, giving CNU a 13-point lead at 38-25 with 14:36 remaining. 

Tabias Hilliard, who was key in the Methodist run to end the first half, finally ended the CNU run with a pair of free-throws on the Monarchs' next possession. The Captains offense, though, was just getting started. With contributions from Snead already in the book, it was reserve forward Ben Watkins' turn to step up for the Captains. In just nine minutes of action, Watkins was all over the floor for head coach John Krikorian, scoring a career-high eight points to go with four rebounds and one blocked shot. 

CNU got its usual solid production from its three offensive leaders, with a double-double from Tra Benefield, including a game-high 16 points and 11 rebounds, and double figure scoring from Mike Cherry and Nik Biberaj. Cherry finished with 11 points, four assists and four rebounds, while Biberaj added 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting with four boards. Starting forward Evan Thorpe had a solid night on the glass, hauling in a career-high 10 rebounds. 

CNU held a 45-32 edge overall in the rebounding battle, and despite giving up some size down low, outscored the Monarchs in the paint by a significant margin, 32-14. Defensively, the Captains were impressive, holding Methodist to just 48 points, the second-lowest output for a CNU opponent this season. The home team managed to shoot just 25% from the field (14-56), including 2-of-12 from three-point land. 

The Captains pulled away for a 20-point win, doubling up Methodist in the second half, 46-23. CNU shot a torrid 62.1% from the field in the second stanza, dropping 18 of 29 attempts. 

Conference play continues on Sunday, as the Captains put their five-game win streak on the line at Greensboro College (6-5, 1-2). In CNU's final conference game at Hanes Gym in Greensboro, the Captains will tip at 4:00 pm. Live stats and video available at CNUsports.com