WINCHESTER, Va. - Shenandoah University used 21 points from the charity stripe Wednesday night to key a 74-64 USA South victory over Christopher Newport University before a packed house at Shingleton Gymnasium.

Shenandoah (10-7 overall, 6-2 USA South) erased a seven-point second half deficit to earn its first win over the Captains (10-9, 4-4) since January 30, 2002. CNU had won five straight in the long-time series between the two schools.

This win, coupled with Methodist's victory over Greensboro, puts Coach Rob Harris' club in first place by a half-game over GC. This is the first time that Shenandoah has led the USA South (nee Dixie) since 1996.

Up 36-35 at the half, the Hornets watched the Captains go on a 7-0 run from over a span of 1:49 to take a 47-39 lead with 15:40 remaining. SU finally snapped the scoreless streak with a Kenneth Purnell (Baltimore, Md./Lake Clifton) old fashioned three-point play at the 15:04 mark.

From that point, CNU maintained at least a four-point lead until the hosts finally cut it to three with 12:22 left. The Hornets took another two minutes to trim the deficit to two and finally tied it with 7:03 to play.

Three ties and two lead changes ensued before Shenandoah took the lead for good on a pair of James Brodie (Stafford, Va./North Stafford) with just under two minutes showing on the clock.

SU then scored the final eight points of the game as the Captains missed five field goal attempts and fouled Shenandoah rebounders after all but the last attempt.

Purnell had a game high 24, Chris Rhone (Washington, D.C./Northwestern) added 19 and Brodie 12 with 12 rebounds. Otho Hampton had 19, Brandon Brooks 12 and Mark Hepner 11 with 11 boards for CNU.

A complete box score and play by play can be found at http://www.su.edu/athletics/mb/020404.htm

Shenandoah travels to NC Wesleyan Saturday for a 4:00 USA South matchup