Men's Basketball Holds Off Ferrum 78-74 On Senior Day, Clinches Top Seed At Conference Tournament

NEWPORT NEWS, VA - Christopher Newport's men's basketball team held off a pesky Ferrum squad 78-74 to clinch the No. 1 seed at the 2006 USA South Conference Tournament on Senior Day Sunday afternoon.

It was also the eighth straight win for the Captains. CNU has assured itself of a No. 1 seed in the USA South Conference Tournament starting Feb. 21st. CNU has a bye in the first round and will play at 6 pm Friday, Feb. 24 in the Freeman Center. Its the first regular season championship since the 2002-2003 season.

The Captains honored seniors Jeremy Romeo and Adam Purdham in a pregame ceremony before the start of Sunday's contest. Freshman point guard Davon Barton gave up his starting position to allow Purdham to get the start on Senior Day.

Both teams got off to an amazingly slow start. The teams combined for 30 points (18-12 CNU lead) through the first 10 minutes of the game. CNU, however, took its largest lead of the first half into the lockerroom, leading by eight, 36-28. Donta Selden's layup with 12 seconds remaining provided the halftime margin.

Both teams had at least the same amount of free throws or more than field goals in the first half. FC was 9-of-41 (22%) from the field in the first half, 1-of-6 on threes and 9-of-14 (64%) from the free throw line. The Captains were just 9-of-27 (33%) from the floor, a perfect 4-of-4 from behind the arc and 12-of-15 (80%) from the line.

Both teams shot exceptionally better in the second half, the Panthers actually outscored CNU 46-44 in the second stanza. Christopher Newport led by as many as 17 in the second half. Davon Barton's three-pointer with 9:58 left in the game extended the Captains lead to 62-45.

Ferrum outscored CNU 29-14 over the final 10 minutes of the game. The game could have been a seven-point win, had Ed Robinson's three-pointer at the buzzer not gone in.

FC finished the second half 15-of-35 (43%) from the floor, 4-of-6 from behind the arc and 12-of-14 (86%) from the charity stripe. CNU finished 15-od-29 (52%) from the floor, 2-of-5 on threes and 12-of-22 (55%) from the line.

For the game, the Panthers were 24-of-76 (32%) from the field, 5-of-12 (42%) on threes and 21-of-28 (75%) from the stripe. Christopher Newport was 24-of-56 (43%) from the floor, 6-of-9 from beyond the arc and 24-of-37 (65%) from the free throw line.

Ferrum was led by Cedric Jones' 17 points and 13 rebounds. Keith Harris added 16 points and Ed Robinson finished with 15 points, both came off the bench. Trey Ray finished with a game-high 14 rebounds.

The Captains were led by Selden's 17 points on 6-of-12 from the field, including 3-of-5 from behind the arc and 2-of-2 from the free throw line. Barton finished with 15 points and 12 helpers. Edward Riley added 14 points and nine boards off the bench and Jeremy Romeo contributed 13 points. Mark Blasingame finished one point shy of a triple-double. The freshman had nine points, 13 rebounds and tied his season-high with 10 blocks.

The Panthers fall to 6-18 overall and 2-9 in conference play. CNU improves to 18-5 overall and 9-1 in the USA South.

CNU returns to action next Friday as they travel to Greensboro with tip set for 7:30 pm.

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