Newport News, Va. – Guards Nicholas LaGuerre (Baltimore, Md./Lansdowne) and Donn Hill (Aberdeen, Md./Bel Air) combined for 44 points as the St. Mary's College of Maryland men's basketball team hung on for a 69-64 Capital Athletic Conference win over Christopher Newport University Wednesday night.

The Seahawks (18-6, 11-4 CAC) were soaring high in the second half having built a 46-23 with 14:37 remaining in the game. But with so much time left on the clock, the door was still open for Christopher Newport (16-8, 8-7 CAC). Senior Tra Benefield (Folkston, Ga.) put the Captains on his back and went on to score 20 points in a 38-17 CNU run over the next 13 minutes to cut the lead to two.

St. Mary's was able to stop the bleeding with a quick 6-3 run as the Seahawks went 4-for-6 from the free throw line for a 69-64 lead with 14 seconds to go. The Captains missed a pair of three-point shots in the final seven seconds and had to settle for the loss.

LaGuerre finished the night with 23 points and four rebounds while Hill came in with 21 points, three boards and two steals. Senior forward Brendan McFall (Poolesville, Md./Poolesville) paced the Seahawks on the glass with career-best 10 caroms while adding three assists.

The Seahawks carried a 28-20 halftime lead into the locker room after closing the half on a 12-2 run over the final 7:15 to take the lead away from Christopher Newport for good. Hill tallied 10 of his 21 in the first half, helping St. Mary's to a 39.3-field goal percentage (11-of-28) to CNU's 36.4% (8-of-22). First-year forward Tim Daly (Richmond, Va.) came off the bench to lead the Captains with eight.

St. Mary's rolled off an 18-3 run to start off the second half as LaGuerre knocked down four three-pointers, including three straight in the opening two minutes.

Benefield collected a double-double with game-highs of 27 points and 13 rebounds while Daly finished with 11 off the bench.

St. Mary's will conclude the regular season on the road as the Seahawks travel to Dover, Delaware to take on No. 10 Wesley College this Saturday, February 22nd at 3:00 p.m.

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