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NEWPORT NEWS, Va.- Christopher Newport's men's and women's basketball squads each face key Capital Athletic Conference battles Wednesday night, as the Captains travel to Fredericksburg to tangle with the Eagles of Mary Washington. The women's game will tip off at 6:00 p.m. followed by the men's game at approximately 8:00 p.m.

Both CNU teams have posted fantastic first halves of the season. The men, ranked 13th in the country, are 12-1 and 6-0 atop the CAC. The women are 11-2 and 4-2 in conference action. The men are riding a three-game winning streak, while the women have won six straight heading into Wednesday night's play.

While both games are important conference clashes, the women's tilt carries a bit more urgency for CNU as the Mary Washington women's team is 5-1 in the CAC, and also 11-2 overall. The game could prove to be an epic defensive struggle, as both squads have been remarkably stingy so far. UMW is second in the country in scoring defense, while CNU is ninth. Bill Broderick's squad is fourth in the nation in scoring margin, and second in the country in total steals.

The Captains, who start five sophomores, are led by the trio of Devon Byrd, Sam Porter, and Anitra Thomas, who all are averaging just over nine points per game. Byrd and Porter are also each pulling down an average of just over five rebounds per game.

In the men's nightcap, CNU will be taking on an up-and-down Mary Washington squad that is 7-6 overall and 3-3 in league play. John Krikorian's team has also excelled defensively this season, giving up just 60 points per game (fourth-best in the country). The Captains are also holding their opponents to just 37 percent field goal shooting (eighth-best nationwide).

Sophomore Aaron McFarland leads CNU, averaging 17 points per game off the bench. McFarland, who has led the Captains in scoring eight times in 13 games this season, was named the CAC's Player of the Week this week. He also leads the nation in free throw percentage (.951) having made 39 of 41 attempts.

Both games Wednesday night at Ron Rosner Arena on the Mary Washington campus will be streamed live, with audio and video available at CNUsports.com/live.

The men's game will also be broadcast live on the Christopher Newport/Pepsi Radio Network (Xtra 99.1 FM) with the pre-game show beginning at 7:40 p.m.