FREDERICKSBURG, VA- March is known as the month of madness in college basketball. As the calendar turns to the third month on Saturday, the Christopher Newport men's basketball team is preparing to play for a title, taking on the Eagles of Mary Washington in the Championship Game of the Capital Athletic Conference. Game time is set for 2:00 p.m. at the Anderson Center on the Mary Washington campus in Fredericksburg.

The winner is assured of an automatic bid in the NCAA Division III Tournament.
The full bracket will be released by the NCAA on Monday.

"This is what it is all about," CNU Head Coach John Krikorian said. "Survive and advance is the motto this time of year. We've done some great things this week, now we need to take care of business and complete the mission."

CNU, the fifth seed in the tournament, is 19-8 following a semi-final win at 10th-ranked Wesley Thursday night, 59-55. The Captains handed the Wolverines their first home loss of the season, and advanced to the title game in CNU's first year of membership in the Capital.

The Captains will be playing their third road game in a five-day span Saturday. CNU opened the tournament with an overtime victory at Salisbury on Tuesday night before knocking out Wesley on Thursday.

The Eagles of Mary Washington, seeded second and 21-5 overall, advanced Thursday with a home win over St. Mary's, 70-65.

CNU and UMW played twice this season, and split the games with each team winning at home. Christopher Newport holds a 19-5 lead in the all-time series with the Eagles.

Both squads feature a senior who is averaging 18 points per game. Tra Benefield leads the CNU attack, while Bradley Riester tops the Eagles in the scoring column. Benefield is Christopher Newport's lone senior starter, while UMW starts four seniors.

The game will be broadcast live on the Christopher Newport/Pepsi Radio Network (Xtra 99.1 FM) and audio and video will be available at www.CNUsports.com/live

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