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FROSTBURG, MD- Christopher Newport's men's basketball team got 23 points from both senior Tra Benefield and junior Mike Cherry as the Captains defeated Frostburg State Saturday, 84-41. CNU is now 12-4 overall and 5-3 in Capital Athletic Conference play.

Cherry became just the 29th player in Christopher Newport men's history to reach 1,000 career points when he scored on a layup in the second half. He came into the game needing 20 points to reach 1,000. The Lewiston, NC, native hit seven of 13 shots for the day and also made five of eight from three-point range. He now has 1,003 career points in 72 total games played for a career average of 13.9 points per game.

"Mike is a special player and he does so much for us," Head Coach John Krikorian said. "When he gets it going like both he and Tra did today, a lot of good things happen."

The Captains led by 11 at the half at Bobcat Arena, 31-20, and then exploded for 53 points in the second half to pull away. CNU shot 71 pecent from the field in the second stanza, making 17 of 24 shots, to finish the game 27 of 52 (52 percent).

"I tip my cap to Frostburg State because they never stopped playing hard today," Krikorian continued. "They've had a lot of injuries but had won two of their last three coming into today's game...so they deserve credit for keeping up the intensity."

CNU out-rebounded Frostburg State, 38-32, and held the Bobcats to just 26 percent shooting for the game. Tra Benefield's five rebounds topped a balanced Captains effort on the boards.

Frostburg State was led by junior Jabari Kamau's 15 points and nine rebounds. The Bobcats are now 2-15 overall and 1-8 in the Capital Athletic Conference.

The Captains have not relinquished a halftime lead all season, and are now 11-0 when leading at halftime. 

The game was the first of three in a span of five days for Christopher Newport. The Captains return to Maryland on Monday night to take on St. Mary's. Game time is set for 8:00 p.m. in St. Mary's City, MD.