NEWPORT NEWS, Va.- Christopher Newport jumped to an early 9-2 lead over Wesley Saturday, and never looked back. The Captains never trailed in the Capital Athletic Conference game at the Freeman Center and cruised to a 69-51 victory. CNU posted the 18-point triumph despite not having the services of top scorers and rebounders Tim Daly and Marcus Carter due to injuries.

"I really didn't know what to expect going in," Head Coach John Krikorian said following the win. "We've got a lot of guys and it's a matter of everybody stepping up. I thought we played really good defense and made enough shots to open up the lead. This is a big win for us, it gets us back on track and gets our momentum going again."

Senior Mike Cherry and freshman Aaron McFarland led the CNU attack, scoring 16 points each. McFarland led the Captains early with 10 points in the first half, and Cherry took over in the second half scoring 13. Junior Connor Laframboise, who returned to the starting lineup, also finished in double figures with 10.

CNU's defense held Wesley to just 2 of 27 shooting in the opening half (7.4 percent), as the Captains opened up a 34-15 edge at the intermission. 

Christopher Newport maintained the lead through the second half to coast to the 18-point verdict. CNU led by as many as 24 points in the second stanza.

"I didn't think we played great in the second half, but we still did enough to get the job done," Krikorian continued. "This is a really big win for us, we needed to protect our home court and get back on track. Now it's on to Mary Washington."

CNU, now 15-6 overall and 10-4 in the CAC, was without injured starters Tim Daly (ankle) and Marcus Carter (back), who both average 13 points per game and combine to pull down 14 rebounds per contest. Freshman Brendon Burrows made his first start of the season and responded with six points, five rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal in 24 minutes. Fellow freshman Spencer Marin posted big numbers in 11 minutes of playing time, recording five rebounds and five blocked shots. Sophomore Rayshard Brown topped the squad with seven assists for the day.

Wesley, now 10-11 overall and 8-6 in the CAC, was led by 14 points from junior Wayne Lennon, all in the second half. Senior Quincy Pettiford posted a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

The win was the second for the Captains over the Wolverines this season. CNU downed Wesley in Dover, Delaware, on January 6th, 75-62. The Captains now lead the all-time series, 11-4, and CNU is now 10-2 at home this season.

Mike Cherry's 16 points moved him into ninth place on the CNU all-time scoring list. CNU's lone senior has now scored 1,374 points for his career. He is 234 points behind Davon Barton for eighth place on the list. Barton was one of five former CNU student-athletes inducted into the CNU Athletic Hall of Fame at halftime Saturday. Former football standout George Jones, track & field's Antoinette Bass, women's basketball's Candace Bryant and John Mook of the men's tennis program joined Barton in the halftime ceremony.

Christopher Newport remains tied with Salisbury for third place in the CAC standings following Saturday's results. St. Mary's tops the league with a 12-2 mark, followed by Marymount at 11-3 and then CNU and Salisbury at 10-4.

The Captains head to Fredericksburg on Wednesday to take on Mary Washington. Game time is set for 8:00 p.m.