NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Senior Lauren Gural scored five of the last eight points in the game for CNU, including a pair of huge free-throws with 17 seconds remaining, as the Captains held on for a big conference win over Ferrum today, 66-62. Gural hit three free-throws and connected on the eventual game-winning basket off an assist by sophomore Nicole Mitchell. Sophomore Tia Perry again impressed for CNU, netting a double-double with a game-high 21 points and 13 rebounds.

It was just the second loss of the season for the Panthers, and first in conference play, as Ferrum fell to 9-2, 4-1 respectively, while CNU improved to 9-3 overall and 4-1 in conference play with their fourth straight victory.

The battle was back-and-forth for the bulk of the first half, as the lead teetered six times and was tied once. Late in the half, the Captains built the lead up to a then-game high seven on a fast-break layup by Perry, 31-24. Ferrum answered with a buzzer-beating stickback by Kelsey Frazier to make the halftime score 31-26.

Perry scored 12 of her 21 points in the first half, adding five rebounds. Kristen Keith led the way for Ferrum, with eight points, and Kelsey Frazier came off the bench for six points and five rebounds.

CNU came out of the locker room, scoring the first eight points to take a game-high 13 point lead. The Captains pulled ahead 39-26 after just 2:25 into the second half.

Ferrum responded, though, with a 15-3 run of their own to pull back within one, 44-43, with 12:27 remaining. A tough full-court press led the way,  forcing seven turnovers in the spurt.

From that point forward, the game was never more than a two-possession game either way. Ferrum took a couple late leads in the ball game, including a 59-58 lead after a layup from reserve Kylene Culler with 3:14 remaining. The Captains tied it up on a free-throw by Gural and then got a turnover on the other end with less than two minutes remaining.

Out of a timeout, the Captains set up a play for Perry, but with an open look she left her shot short. She burst through the lane and got her own rebound, though, and went back up for the layup and the lead. Ferrum got a pair of clutch free throws from Keith, to tie it back up at 61 apiece, but on the other end, CNU took the lead for good when Mitchell and Gural hooked up for an easy back-door layup.

Gural and Perry finished out the game by knocking down 3-of-4 free-throws for the win, 66-62. Perry finished with 21 points on 9-of-17 shooting, while grabbing 13 rebounds including six offensive. Gural was just shy of a double-double with 10 rebounds and nine points. Mitchell finished with 15 points on 7-of-9 shooting for the Captains.

Keith had 13 points and five rebounds for the Panthers, leading the way, while Jacole Hairston and Kelsey Frazier were also in double figures with 12 and 11 points respectively.

CNU will return to action at home on Wednesday, January 11 in a double-header with the men's team as they take on Averett University at 5:30 pm. The men will follow immediately after with a game against Methodist at 7:30 pm.