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NEWPORT NEWS, Va.- Christopher Newport opened the 2014-15 men's basketball season with an exciting 71-70 overtime victory over Randolph-Macon Tuesday night. The thriller at the Freeman Center featured 13 lead changes, and was the third straight triumph in as many years for the Captains over the Yellow Jackets.

"This was a tremendous win for our program," Head Coach John Krikorian said. "I was really happy with the intensity and the way we battled. Randolph-Macon is a very good team, and to get this win shows a lot about where we are as a team."

Senior guard Mike Cherry led four CNU players in double figures with 14 points. The other three were all freshmen playing in their first games as Captains.  Logan Miller registered 12 points, Aaron McFarland posted 11, and Marcus Carter finished with 10.

"We've got a really young group with 14 freshmen or sophomores," Krikorian continued. "I think you could see there's a lot of talent there...that's a great way to start."

Randolph-Macon held a 32-31 lead at halftime, only to see the Captains surge ahead in the second half. It took a three-pointer from Chris Hamilton with seven seconds remaining in regulation to tie the game at 64-64 and force overtime.

"I think a lot of teams would have folded at that point," Krikorian said. "We were able to rally in the overtime and get it going again."

CNU then out-scored the Yellow Jackets, 7-6, in the five-minute extra period to notch the victory. Junior Hunter Wetherell hit a key three-pointer in overtime and the Captains withstood a last-second flurry of tips at the rim by the Yellow Jackets to prevail, 71-70. It's the second straight year the teams have battled to the wire, and the second straight game decided by one point (CNU defeated Randolph-Macon last season in Ashland, 84-83).

The Captains, ranked 24th in the country in the pre-season poll from D3hoops.com, are 1-0 and will play their next three games on the road. Randolph-Macon, ranked 11th in the same poll, falls to 1-1.

Christopher Newport's superior foul shooting proved to be a key factor in the triumph. The Captains made 18 of 24 at the line while Randolph-Macon connected on just 19 of 34 at the line. CNU out-rebounded the Yellow Jackets, 39-38, and both teams committed 13 turnovers.

Joe Hassell led the Yellow Jackets with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Randolph-Macon now leads the all-time series with the Captains, 18-6.

CNU travels to Washington & Lee for a Friday night matchup. Tipoff time is set for 7:00 p.m. in Lexington.