Dalton Christopher
Assistant Athletic Director - Communications & Media
dchristopher@transy.edu

NEWPORT NEWS, VA - Transylvania opened their weekend at the Christopher Newport University Holiday Inn Classic Saturday, falling to the host #10 Christopher Newport 81-61. 

Colby Napier's three-point field goal tied CNU at 5-5 early in the half to start the Pioneer offense. After CNU scored a three-point field goal of their own in response, Napier scored again from long range to remain even with CNU. Drew Marshall's fast break lay up gave Transy their first lead of the afternoon. Both teams would exchange timely baskets in the first half, the Pioneers landed four three-point field goals in the opening half, they trailed 40-26 entering the second half. 

Midway through the second half, the Pioneers mounted a run to battle back from a double digit deficit. Ian Reesor's long range three-pointer cut into the CNU lead 62-45. Reesor would score once again in the post moments later. Jaxon Smith scored from distance to respond to a CNU three-pointer, but the deficit remained at seventeen. Reesor's three-pointer with just under six minutes remaining cut the lead to fourteen, 67-53. Another three-pointer from Reesor and a lay up from Dakota Capps cut the lead to eleven with four minutes remaining. Back to back baskets would put seal the victory for Christopher Newport, 81-61. 

Reesor lead the Pioneers with 14 points and four rebounds, shooting 4/5 from three-point range. Colby Napier and Drew Marshall each recorded 11 points. 

"I felt like we had the game in pretty good shape until around five minutes remained in the first half," said Head Coach Brian Lane. "Our inability to keep them off the boards and allowing them to push the lead out before the half. We wanted to focus on our transition defense and limit their second chance opportunities, we held them to their second lowest fast break total. Offensive rebounds were a different story. CNU has tremendous depth and that is what you would expect from the tenth ranked team in the country. Now we have to focus our attention and be ready for a talented St. Joseph team tomorrow."

Transylvania will take on St. Joseph (CT) at 2:00 p.m. to close out the CNU Holiday Inn Classic. Live streaming and stat links are available now at TransySports.com.

Transylvania University is a proud member of NCAA Division III and the HCAC. To keep up to date with all of Transylvania Athletics, check out our website at www.transysports.com and follow @TransySports on Instagram.