NEWPORT NEWS, Va.- The Christopher Newport men's basketball squad survived an upset-minded Wesley College squad Saturday, holding off the Wolverines at the Freeman Center, 81-68. The Captains, ranked 13th in the nation, are now 12-1 overall and 6-0 atop the Capital Athletic Conference.

Sophomore Aaron McFarland again led the way for the Captains, scoring 20 points and going six for nine from beyond the three-point line. McFarland, from Richmond, has now led the Captains in scoring eight times in the first 13 games.

"They gave us quite a battle," Head Coach John Krikorian said. "I give them a lot of credit the way they played and pushed us. We were able to execute better in the second half and do the things we need to do to win."

Sophomore Marcus Carter scored 16 points, junior Tim Daly added 14, and junior Kevin Regimbal also reached double digits with ten as the Captains improved to 7-1 this season at the Freeman Center. 

CNU grabbed a 28-17 first-half lead and appeared to be on the way to a lopsided victory before the Wolverines went on a 13-0 run to jump in front, 30-28. The Captains were able to re-group before halftime and posted a 36-32 advantage at the intermission.

The second half saw the teams battle closely before the Captains were able to pull away in the final five minutes. Wesley held a 46-45 lead when the Captains went on a 20-6 run to take the lead for good. 

The Captains were able to stretch the lead thanks to more outstanding foul shooting. The squad, shooting 72 percent for the season, was 21 of 26 for the day at the charity stripe for 81 percent free throw shooting.

CNU also shot well from the field, making 46 percent from the floor (25 of 54) for the day. The Captains knocked down ten three-pointers on 21 long-range attempts (48 percent).

Christopher Newport out-rebounded Wesley, 36-30, with Daly and Carter each contributing seven boards.

Wesley, now 3-10 overall and 1-5 in the CAC, was led by 19 points from Anthony Bowers. Wayne Lennon registered a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. It was the fourth straight loss for the Wolverines.

"This is a very good conference top to bottom," Krikorian continued. "Every team in the league has good guards, and that's where it has to start. Wesley is the kind of team that will keep getting better and they're going to be a factor."

CNU now holds a 13-4 lead in the all-time series, and the Captains have now won the last five with Wesley.

The Captains continue to hold a two-game lead in the CAC standings following Saturday's action. CNU returns to action on Wednesday night at Mary Washington. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m.