ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. -- Head coach John Krikorian and the 13th-ranked Christopher Newport men's basketball team will face a stiff test on Wednesday, as they travel to N.C. Wesleyan College for the final time in conference action. The Captains (11-1, 4-0) will take on the Battling Bishops (7-5, 0-3) at 7:30 pm, as CNU looks to improve on its six-game win streak. 

CNU will commence play in the Capital Athletic Conference in 2013-14, making the trip to Rocky Mount the last in conference play for the Captains. The Bishops started the year 7-0 and are now riding a five-game losing streak, including its most recent setback to Division I East Carolina University. The game will pit the nation's second-ranked defense against one of the most impressive scorers in the nation at Division III. 

Christopher Newport ranks second nationally in field goal percentage defense, holding opponents to just 34.9% shooting so far this season. The Captains will need the stifling defense as its faces senior Brandon Givens for the Bishops, ranked second in the nation in points per game with 26.9. Givens also ranks 21st in the nation in rebounds per game (10.8), providing the N.C. Wesleyan front court with one of the most dominant players in the nation. 

For CNU, the Captains have leaned on a trio of All-Conference performers in junior Tra Benefield (19.4 ppg, 8.5 rpg) and sophomores Mike Cherry (16.8 ppg) and Nik Biberaj (14.3 ppg). However, the team defense and role players have also proven pivotal over the course of the first 12 games. Senior point guard Paul Meredith leads the team with 36 assists despite coming off the bench, while rookie starters Patrick Fehl and Evan Thorpe have each provided a spark this year. 

Game time is set for 7:30 pm. Live stats and live video will be available at CNUsports.com.