NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- On Monday night, the 16th-ranked Christopher Newport men's basketball team will face one of its toughest tests as and perennial power Virginia Wesleyan College (14-6) heads into the Freeman Center for a regional showdown at 7:30 pm. Fans are encouraged to WEAR BLUE and FILL THE FREEMAN in support of the Captains on Monday night. 

The Captains are coming off just their third loss of the season, falling to 15-3 overall and seeing a modest four-game winning streak come to a halt. CNU holds a 45-33 advantage in the all-time series, but the Marlins have won nine straight dating back to the 2001-02 season. 

The game will be broadcast live on the CNU/Pepsi Radio Network (Xtra 99.1 FM) and will be presented in a live video webcast at CNUsports.com/LIVE on Captains Sports Live. Live stats will also be available at CNUsports.com. 

Junior Tra Benefield, with 19.6 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, has been the offensive leader for the Captains. Sophomores Mike Cherry (15.2 ppg) and Nik Biberaj (15.1 ppg) have been stellar, and rookie Evan Thorpe is coming along with back-to-back career-best performances. Thorpe scored a then- career-high 13 points in a win over Methodist and then backed it up with a 20-point effort in the most recent setback against Greensboro College. 

The Marlins have made back-to-back NCAA Sectional appearances and were ranked No. 1 in the nation for three straight weeks earlier this season. A four-game slide in December saw Va. Wesleyan slip from the national polls, but the Marlins are still receiving votes and are just outside the rankings. Three different players are averaging double figures, led by Chris Astorga's 15.9 points per game. Junior All-American D.J. Woodmore is pulling down a team-high seven rebounds per game, while chipping in 15.1 points per game.

Tip is set for 7:30 pm.