WINCHESTER, Va. - Shenandoah University got its second straight victory over Christopher Newport for just the second time in school history Wednesday night with a 76-66 USA South win before a sold out Shingleton Gymnasium.

Shenandoah (9-5, 1-0 USA South) won by the same ten point margin that they beat the Captains (9-3, 0-1 USA South) on February 4, 2004. The win also marks the first time since 1990 that SU has won two straight over its conference archrival.

The game was close throughout; the two teams traded the lead 11 times and were tied on four others before the hosts finally took the lead for good on a Jared Hale (Centreville, Va./Lynchburg) jumper with 6:07 left.

Following Hale's 10-footer, the Hornets went on a 10-4 run over the next 1:42 to take their largest lead, 70-62, with 2:37 remaining. CNU would get no closer than seven points the rest of the way.

Shenandoah outrebounded Christopher Newport 46-27 and hit 19 of its 27 foul shots to the Captains two of three.

Senior Chris Rhone (Washington, D.C./Northwestern) led with a game high 21 points and matched his career high with 11 boards. He was joined by three others in double figures - Hale and Jeremiah Lawrence (Forestville, Md./Forestville) each had 12 while Kenny Purnell (Baltimore, Md./Lake Clifton) had 10.

Sophomore Onyie Onunaku (Bristow, Va./Stonewall Jackson) had nine points but matched Rhone with 11 rebounds.

Steven Murrer had 14, Roderic Carey 12 and Blake Brookman 11 for Christopher Newport. Brookman also had a game high seven assists.

Box Score/Play by Play 

Shenandoah takes to the road this weekend for a Saturday contest at NC Wesleyan. Game time is 4:00.