Newport News, Va. -- Despite four starters scoring in double-digits, the University of Lynchburg men's basketball team fell to the Eagles of Mary Washington, 88-84, on Friday night in Game 1 of the CAC/ODAC Challenge.

Junior Tharon Suggs recorded a double-double in the loss, scoring 22 points and adding 11 rebounds. Senior Chance Greene and junior Reggie Davis contributed 13 points apiece, while senior forward Cody Lang had 10 points and nine rebounds.

The Hornets (4-2) came out of the gate strong in the first half. More than halfway through the period, Lynchburg led the Eagles by 13 after a Greene 3-pointer at the 9:08 mark put the Hornets up 30-17.

Mary Washington (5-1) staged a comeback late in the half as its defense held the Lynchburg offense scoreless for over 2 minutes until junior Jamil Pasha sunk a free throw putting the Hornets up 42-39 with a minute left. 

The Eagles tied the game at 42-42 with 51 seconds left and then took the lead at the 16 second mark after an Anias Saunders 3-pointer. The Hornets closed out the half trailing 45-44 after junior T.C. Thacker made a layup off of an assist from Greene. 

Despite a late rally and a Davis layup that put the Hornets within three with 22 seconds left in the game, Lynchburg did not regain the lead in the second half and Mary Washington came out on top, 88-84.

Lynchburg is back in action on Saturday, Nov. 23 as the Hornets take on the No.9-ranked Captains of Christopher Newport University at the Freeman Center in Game 4 of the tournament with a 7 p.m. tipoff.

--LYN--