Men’s Basketball Defeats No. 9 CNU

Men Are Impressive in Victory While Women Suffer Another Defeat

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Men’s Basketball

WINCHESTER , Va. – The Shenandoah University Men’s Basketball team made a major statement Wednesday evening; the Hornets pulled off the biggest upset of second year Head Coach Rob Harris' career with a 73-58 victory over Dixie Conference rival and No. 9 in the nation Christopher Newport University.

This is the second time in three seasons that Shenandoah (9-9, 5-3) has sent CNU (16-3, 6-2) back to Newport News with a loss. On February 6, 2000 , SU defeated then No. 1 CNU 85-75 for the Hornets first ever victory over a top ranked school.

Wednesday’s victory saw the Hornets avenge a 72-67 loss at CNU on January 9, 2002 ; this game was the Dixie Conference opener for both schools. After dropping that contest by allowing the Captains to erase a 13 point lead late in the second half, this time the Hornets pleased the overflow crowd by closing the deal in the second half.

Following a jumper by junior Tyson Thompson (Keysville, Va./Randolph-Henry) at the 8:41 mark of the first,  SU never trailed again.

As with the first meeting of the season, the Hornets took a seven point lead into the halftime lockerroom. This time, Shenandoah prevent a repeat of their earlier collapse by increasing the pressure in the final 20 minutes of play. SU never allowed the Captains to get closer than three points and found themselves up by 17 after junior Michael Atkins (Stephens City, Va./Sherando) capped off a 17-6 run with a pair of free throws with 1:05 left.                    

Shenandoah was led by Dixie Player of the Year candidate Ronald Merriwether ( Frankfurt , Germany /Giessen American), whose game high 21 points were accompanied by 12 rebounds.  Atkins also registered a double-double for the Hornets with 11 points and career high tying 16 boards.  Thompson was the key to the SU offense registering 18 points and seven rebounds to go with his game high seven assists.  Sophomore Halston Camp ( Harrisonburg , Va. / Harrisonburg ) added 10 points in the victory.

Terry Gray had 17 points and Albert Haskins 14 for CNU.  

A complete box score and play by play can be found at http://www.su.edu/athletics/mb/200102/013002.htm

Shenandoah travels to Danville , Va. this Saturday to face conference opponent Averett University ; the tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 .

Women’s Basketball

WINCHESTER , Va. - Despite showing signs of promise in the first half, the Shenandoah Women’s Basketball Team dropped their eighth straight Dixie contest Wednesday evening; losing 73-54 to conference leader Christopher Newport.

The Hornets (3-14, 0-8) found themselves down by as much as 12 in the first half before cutting the deficit to one on a layup by sophomore Shanda Gaskins ( Falls Church , Va. /McLean) at the 2:02 mark.   However, Tomorrow Lofton scored four of her game high 24 points in the final minutes of the first half to put CNU (17-2, 7-1) up by five at the break.

With the outcome somewhat in doubt, the Lady Captains went on a 10-0 run to open playback up in the second half to allow themselves to cruise to the 19 point win.

Tia Moore led the second half charge for CNU with 16 of her 22 total points.

Gaskins led the struggling Hornets with her first career double-double, scoring 12 points and grabbing 12 boards.  Senior classmates Rosaline Fisher (Greencastle, Pa./Hagerstown CC) and Wendy Legge (Stephens City, Va./Sherando) added 12 points apiece.

A complete box score and play by play can be found at http://www.su.edu/athletics/wb/200102/013002.htm

Shenandoah will once again attempt to get its first Dixie Conference win of the season when they travel to Averett University on Saturday, February 2^nd.