NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Christopher Newport men's basketball faces tough tests Friday and Saturday night in Owings Mills, MD. The Captains, ranked second in the nation, play in the fifth annual Hoopsville National Invitational Classic, as John Krikorian's squad tangles with Wisconsin-Stevens Point Friday night and Marietta (OH) Saturday evening. Both games tip off at 8:00 p.m. in the eight-team classic hosted by Stevenson University.

CNU opened the new season on Tuesday night with a 70-47 triumph over Randolph-Macon. The Captains used a late first half surge to blow past the Yellow Jackets as Christopher Newport went on a 34-10 run to put the game away. Juniors Marcus Carter (15 points) and Aaron McFarland (14 points) led the CNU charge.

The 2016-2017 campaign is the 50th in CNU men's basketball history. The Captains have never played Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and the Pointers are just two years removed from a National Championship, their fourth in ten seasons. UWSP was 14-12 last season, and the Pointers lost their opener to St. Olaf, 63-55, on Tuesday.

Christopher Newport and Marietta have split two previous meetings, but both took place in the early 1980's. The Pioneers finished last season with a 25-4 recod, and opened the new year with a victory on Tuesday night over LaRoche, 101-75.

All Captains games are broadcast live on the Christopher Newport/Pepsi Radio Network (Xtra 99.1 FM). Pre-game shows will begin at 7:40 Friday and Saturday night. The action will also be available on CNUsports.com/live.

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