Junior Zach Sloan scored a team-high 22 points and paced Mary Baldwin in steals, blocked shots and three-point goals, but the Fighting Squirrels were unable to overcome an early surge by host Christopher Newport in a 96-76 non-conference men's basketball clash Saturday.

Sloan hit five long-range shots and added three more in close on the way to leading MBU (4-3).  He also contributed three steals and both of MBU's blocked shots.

Graduate assistant point guard Jaden Ignacio also contributed 17 points and three assists for the Fighting Squirrels, who trailed 14-11 when CNU began a 16-4 for a 30-15 lead with more than seven minutes remaining in the first half.  MBU was unable to get the deficit to single digits the rest of the way.

CNU, led by Jahn Hines with 21 points and Collin Hines with nine points and 13 rebounds, held a 53-23 rebounding advantage.

MBU will be back in action Sunday with a non-conference game against NCAA Division I Longwood, beginning at 6:30 p.m.