LaGRANGE, Ga. -- The 21st-ranked Captains dropped their third straight decision on Saturday, falling 73-68 at LaGrange (10-10, 3-8) despite shooting 45% from the field. Junior Tra Benefield scored 25 points and sophomore Nik Biberaj notched a double-double as CNU falls to 15-5 overall, 8-3 in the USA South. 

CNU held a decided advantage in paint scoring, scoring 46 of its points close to the basket while holding LaGrange to just 28. Getting to the free-throw line would prove to be a big factor, however, and proved to be a significant advantage for the home team. Christopher Newport committed 23 fouls versus just 11 called on LaGrange, leading to 22 more free-throws attempted in the game. The Panthers struggled from the charity stripe, hitting just 46.2% from the line (12-26), but it would be enough as CNU managed just four attempts, going 3-for-4. 

The lead changed 11 times in the game, and the score was tied seven times in what was a close game throughout. Neither team led by double figures in the game, and LaGrange's largest lead would come in the first half. 

CNU led by as many as six early in the game, and held a two-point edge at halftime, 34-32. Benefield had 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting, and Biberaj had collected six points and six rebounds in the opening stanza. Dustin Baxter almost singlehandedly kept the Panthers close, scoring 13 points on 6-of-10 shooting, while Mark Wagner added nine points. 

While CNU's offense kept pushing in the second half, equalling its output from the first with 34 points, it was on the defensive end that the Captains had some struggles. The free-throw disparity was 22-2 in the second half, as the Panthers continued to get to the line. Kyron Anderson led the way, with six points with the clock stopped, finishing the second half with eight. 

Still, the Captains were within striking distance throughout, and pulled back within one on a layup by Benefield with 1:22 remaining, 67-66. After a timeout, LaGrange pulled back ahead by three on a Patrick Dugger jumper in the lane. An offensive rebound after a free-throw gave LaGrange the ball back with 19 seconds remaining, and CNU was forced to foul. Anderson went 1-of-2 from the line and the lead was four, but cut in half as the Captains raced down the floor getting a layup from Biberaj. After Wagner went 1-of-2 with 11 seconds showing, CNU was able to get a look at a game-tying three from Connor Laframboise, but the shot was off the mark and Anderson finished out the win with two free-throws in the final seconds. 

Benefield had a game-high 25 points, adding seven rebounds, two blocks and two steals while finishing 11-of-21 from the floor. Biberaj posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, going 5-of-8 from the field. Senior reserve Jon Snead rounded out the double figure scoring with 10 points.

CNU will return home to face N.C. Wesleyan College on Senior Night this Wednesday, Feb. 13 at 7:30 pm.