Box Score
Box Score


NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Christopher Newport University held off a gritty performance by Averett in both teams' regular season finale on Saturday. The Captains, who finished conference play undefeated, edged the Cougars 99-95.

Averett (7-18, 2-10 USA South) earned the No. 6 seed and will play at No. 3 seed Greensboro College on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in the USA South Conference Tournament quarterfinals.

Averett led 43-42 at halftime, but Christopher Newport (21-4, 12-0 USA South) took the lead on its first possession of the second half. The Cougars stayed close for a while before the Captains extended their lead to 15 points midway through the period.

The Cougars, however, kept fighting. Averett used a 9-0 run to pull to within 79-73 with just under seven minutes to play. Another run by CNU helped it build its lead back to 12. Yet, one again, Averett answered with an 8-0 run to get within 87-83 with 2:30 remaining.

Averett freshman Sunil Ram hit a 3-pointer in the final seconds to cut CNU's lead to 97-95, but the Captains hit a pair of free throws at the other end and the Cougars' bid at upsetting the top seed in the conference fell short.

Averett junior Jonathan Setters had a career-high 21 points and 13 rebounds, and sophomore Jeremy Ruffin added 19 points off the bench. The Cougars also got 17 points from junior Grant Chandler and 14 points and seven rebounds from Ram. Junior Marquis Scott grabbed a team-high 14 rebounds.

Conley Taylor led CNU with 36 points and 10 rebounds.