NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Christopher Newport's men's basketball squad dropped an 83-73 decision to New Jersey City University Friday night on day one of the Captains Shootout at the Freeman Center.

In the night's first game, Hampden-Sydney up-ended Mary Washington, 62-53.

The Gothic Knight's led 15-4 with 11:36 to go in the first half before the Captains battled back to score 12 of the next 13 points to tie the score at 16-16 with 7:03 left. From there, New Jersey City took off and led by 17 at the break, 40-23.

In the second half, New Jersey City led by as many as 22 several times, the final time coming with 5:42 remaining in the game when NJCU led, 73-51.

Over the next four minutes, Christopher Newport out-scored the Gothic Knights, 15-2, to cut the lead to nine, 75-66, with 1:07 left on Davon Barton's three-pointer.

CNU would cut the lead to as few as eight less than a minute later, but that would be as close as they would get.

NJCU shot 29-of-58 (50%) from the field, 9-of-20 (45%) from long range and 16-of-23 (70%) from the line. Dana John paced the Gothic Knights with 23 points. Shy Martinez finished with 17.

The Captains finished 27-of-58 (47%) from the floor, 5-of-15 (33%) from behind the arc and 14-of-19 (74%) from the charity stripe. Barton led CNU with 23 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Thomas Whinnett added 14 points and Michael Green had 12 and eight rebounds off the bench.

New Jersey City improves to 8-3 on the year while CNU falls to 2-9. The Captains return to action Saturday as they take on Mary Washington with tip set for 7:30 pm.

Box Score
Photos

Video