NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Christopher Newport University hit what proved to be the game—winning bucket with 19 seconds left Wednesday evening to propel the Lady Captains to a 73-69 USA South Conference victory over visiting Shenandoah.

CNU (7-5, 1-0) trailed by one, 69-68, with one minute to play but benefited from a little luck and then made a strong play to score the winning points.

Shenandoah (3-7, 0-1) sent junior Alicia Sanders to line with 51 seconds remaining with a chance to put the Hornets up three. Sanders, who entered the game 32nd in the nation in free throw percentage and had made her first nine attempts from the charity stripe, missed both attempts to keep the Lady Captains in it.

CNU missed its ensuing field goal attempt, but the Hornets turned it right back over on the outlet pass, giving the hosts the ball back with 30.4 seconds left. The Lady Captains' then got the game-winner with 19 seconds left when Candace Bryant drove baseline, converted her layup and was fouled in the process.

Bryant, who had missed her first three foul shots, completed the three-point play to give CNU the two-point advantage.

Unfortunately for coach Kathy Orsini, SU turned the ball over on its possession and was forced to foul. Nikki Rowland converted both her free throws with four seconds remaining to provide the final margin of victory.

Sanders led all scorers with 23 points while sophomore Netagia Foreman added 17 and Cassie Womack 10 with a team-high 11 rebounds.

Rowland was one of four Lady Captains in double figures. She had 19 points.

Box Score/Play by Play 

Shenandoah is back in action Saturday afternoon at 2:00 in its USA South Conference opener. They host NC Wesleyan in a doubleheader with the men.