Game Notes  |  Live Stats  |  Live Video

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The 15th-ranked Christopher Newport Captains (14-2, 7-1) will take on Methodist University in men's basketball action Saturday afternoon, with tipoff set for 4:00 pm. The game will be the front end of a doubleheader with the women's team, who will play host to William Peace University at 6:00 pm. 

The men's game will be broadcast live on Xtra 99.1 FM, the CNU/Pepsi Radio Network, and live video will also be available on Captains Sports Live at CNUsports.com/LIVE. Live stats can also be found on the CNU Athletics website. 

CNU, under the direction of head coach John Krikorian, has been one of the most dominant defensive teams in the nation. The Captains are holding opponents to 35.9% shooting this season, which ranks as the country's top defensive mark. On the other side of the floor, CNU ranks 32nd in scoring offense, averaging 79.4 points per game. The Captains are also extremely dominant at home, going 10-0 this year and winners of 19 straight games in the Freeman Center. 

Leading the way is junior Tra Benefield, ranking in the Top 30 nationally with 20.0 points per game. Benefield is also second on the team in rebounding,  with 8.1 boards per game, and is knocking down nearly 54% of his shots. Sophomores Mike Cherry (15.8 ppg) and Nik Biberaj (15.2 ppg, 8.6 rpg) complement Benefield in the starting lineup, while senior Paul Meredith (48 assists) comes off the bench. 

Methodist is just under .500 for the year, going 7-9 overall with a 4-3 mark against the USA South. The Monarchs have won four of their last six games after dropping a 68-48 matchup against the Captains in early January. Head coach David Smith has given 13 different players the starting nod this year; the team has been led by Bryan Hockaday and Kyle Combs. Hockaday has scored 9.3 points and grabbed 7.8 rebounds per game, while Combs has added 6.6 points per game. 

Tip off is set for 4:00 pm.