OWINGS MILLS, MD. - Christopher Newport and Marietta (OH) were tied 25-25 with 3:08 to play in the first half Saturday night. Over the final 23 minutes of the game, the Pioneers out-scored the Captains, 49-25, to race to a 74-50 victory. The defeat in the Hoopsville National Invitational Classic dropped CNU to 2-1 on the season.

The Captains, ranked second in the nation, were held to just 26 percent shooting (16 of 61) for the night, and were out-rebounded, 45-39.

"Playing in a tough tournament like this against a great team like Marietta gives us perspective and the opportunity to learn about ourselves," Head Coach John Krikorian said. "There were a lot of teaching moments, and we're going to be better because of it."

Marietta, now 3-0 and ranked 17th, scored the final eight points of the first half to take a 33-25 edge at the intermission. The Pioneers then scored the first seven points of the second to grab control at 40-25. 

The second stanza saw the Captains fall behind by as many as 33 points, 73-40. CNU rallied late to finish the game on a 10-1 run for the 74-50 final.

"We've got to get back to work, we've got a great group of young men and a lot of games to come," Krikorian continued. "Marietta is a complete team and they're going to be a challenge for anyone playing them this season."

CNU was led in scoring by senior Rayshard Brown's 12 points. Juniors Marcus Carter and Aaron McFarland posted eight points each.

The Captains return to action on Sunday, November 27th, against Dickinson in Carlisle, PA. Tipoff time is set for 4:00 p.m.