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Men's Basketball Game Notes ||
Women's Basketball Game Notes
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Before heading home for the holidays, the nationally-ranked Christopher Newport basketball teams will first hit the road for a heavyweight doubleheader matchup against Salisbury University in Capital Athletic Conference action. The four teams have combined for just two losses through their first 30 combined games, setting up an early season matchup with potential postseason implications. First, the 10th-ranked CNU women (8-0, 3-0) will take on the Salisbury women at 2:00 pm, as the Sea Gulls put a 7-1 overall mark and clean 3-0 conference record on the line. Then, in the men's game at 4:00 pm, a rematch of the last two CAC Championship games will tip in a top ten battle between 5th-ranked CNU (6-1, 3-0) and 10th-ranked Salisbury (7-0, 3-0).
Game Coverage
Where: Maggs Physical Activities Center -- Salisbury, Md.
When: 2:00 pm & 4:00 pm
Watch: Live stats and video available. Video at CNUsports.com/live for both games. Links to live stats are listed above and on the schedule page at CNUsports.com
Listen: An audio webcast and live radio broadcast is available of the men's game on Xtra 94.1 FM, the CNU/Pepsi Radio Network
Ticket Information
In the spirit of the holiday season, the Salisbury University Department of Athletics has announced free admission to Saturday's doubleheader as a gift to the fans, families, and friends of both teams.
About No. 5 CNU Men's Basketball (6-1, 3-0)
Christopher Newport won it's fourth straight game in their last outing, pulling away for a blowout victory against York (Pa.). In the win, senior Tim Daly became the 30th player in program history to score 1,000 points, eclipsing the mark in the second half against the Spartans. He finished the game with 15 points and six rebounds, as he won the battle between first team All-Conference forwards. Fellow senior Rayshard Brown also had a stellar performance in the victory, filling the stat sheet with 10 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal. This season, the Captains' point guard is averaging a career-high in scoring (6.9 ppg) while helping lead the way for CNU's stingy team defense.
That defense ranks fourth nationally in scoring defense, allowing opponents to average just 56.4 points per game this season. Through the first seven games, CNU opponents are hitting just 35.8% of their shots, which also ranks fourth in the country. CNU is forcing 15.0 turnovers per game, led by Carter's 15 steals this season.
About No. 10 Salisbury Men's Basketball (7-0, 3-0)
Undefeated so far this season, the Salisbury men's basketball team started the year outside of the top 25, but, in just over a month, has made a rapid ascent into the Top 10 according to the D3hoops.com national rankings. The Sea Gulls already have one marquee win on the season, taking down nationally-ranked Virginia Wesleyan, 68-60, and have started the year with seven straight wins for the best open in program history.
Head coach Andrew Sachs has employed the same starting five in all seven games, with three starters averaging double figures. Leading the way is senior Wyatt Smith, coming back to the hardwood after missing all of 2015-16 with an injury. Smith has been fantastic in his return, leading the Sea Gulls with 16.6 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. Junior Chad Barcikowski has been lethal from long range, hitting 48% of his attempts while averaging 14.4 points per game, while senior Justin Witmer has added 12.1 points per game to round out the three Gulls averaging double figures.
The Men's Matchup
CNU holds a 23-14 advantage in the all-time series. The two teams have been embroiled in a balanced, tough rivalry since the Captains joined the league in 2013-14, with CNU holding a slight 5-4 edge in the matchup. Twice in three seasons the Captains have met in the conference championship game, with both teams capturing titles by the slimmest of victories in one-point wins.
About No. 10/10 CNU Women's Basketball (8-0, 3-0)
Sophomore
Zhara Tannor led the way for the Captains in another runaway victory on Wednesday night, improving the nationally-ranked Christopher Newport women's team to 8-0 on the season. Tannor scored a season-high 13 points while adding six steals and five rebounds on a night that only one player registered more than 18 minutes played. With a 91-49 win, it was the sixth time this season the Captains have won by 20 or more points.
CNU's tough defense has led the way, ranking fifth nationally in turnovers forced (29.9/game) and fourth in steals per game (17.8 spg). The perimeter defense has been particularly stingy, ranking as the best three-point defense in the country (.135).
About Salisbury Women's Basketball (5-2, 1-1)
Senior guard Lauren Rothfeld is leading the league in scoring (16.8 ppg) and in steals per game (4.5) as the Sea Gulls have raced out to a fast start this year at 7-1 overall. Rothfeld is averaging just under 20 points per game with 14 steals over the last three games.
Salisbury also features a strong team defense, ranking seventh nationally in three-point defense (.192) and 25th in scoring defense (49.6). The Gulls also feature junior Mary McDonagh, pouring in over 10 points and over five assists per game. In the front court, Kaylyn French is the team's leading rebounder, hauling in 8.3 rebounds per game.
The Women's Matchup
Four of the last five games have been decided by six points or less in the series, with Salisbury winning three of the last four. All-time, the Captains own a 16-10 advantage in the series, including a 4-3 mark since joining the CAC.
Coming Up Next
Saturday's double dip is the last game before the holiday break. The CNU men will return to action at home on Wednesday, December 28 in the annual Captains Shootout, welcoming in Pitt Greensburg, Old Westbury and William Peace. The Christopher Newport women will host Virginia Wesleyan on December 30.
