NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Christopher Newport improved to 6-1 overall Saturday and 2-0 in the Capital Athletic Conference, but not without a challenge. The Captains, ranked seventh in the nation, jumped to a 15-0 lead to start the game, but fell behind briefly in the second half before rallying for a 62-53 triumph. 

"We took their best punch and survived," Head Coach John Krikorian said following the battle at the Freeman Center. "I think this will really help us in the long term. Our defense was good and we made our free throws, and that's why we were able to pull it out."

The Captains, a 62 percent shooting free throw shooting team coming into the game, converted 19 of 22 at the stripe for the day, including 13 of 15 in the second stanza. Defensively, the Captains have now held their opponents to less than 60 points in all five victories this season.

Junior All-American Marcus Carter led the way for Christopher Newport, scoring 13 points and going seven-for-seven at the foul line. Carter also pulled down nine rebounds. Senior Rayshard Brown was the only other CNU player in double figures with 11 points.

After a 15-0 run to start the game, Frostburg State bounced back and cut the CNU lead to nine at the half, 33-24. The Bobcats, now 1-6 overall and 0-2 in the CAC, then opened the second half by going on an 18-7 run, finally taking the lead for the first time, 42-40, with just under eight minutes to play.

Christopher Newport then bounced back with a run of its own. The Captains out-scored the Bobcats, 14-2, to open a 54-42 lead and then held on down the stretch. CNU closed the game out by converting time and time again at the charity stripe, primarily by Carter's seven-for-seven and Brown's five-for-six performance at the line in the second stanza.

Frostburg State out-rebounded the Captains for the day, 44-41, and CNU prevailed despite shooting just 29.5 percent from the field for the game (18 of 61) and just 23.3 percent in the second half (seven of 30).

Junior Aaron McFarland made just one of ten shots from the field, but contributed ten rebounds to lead CNU in boards. Senior Tim Daly was held to three of 11 shooting for six points and also posted seven rebounds.

FSU was led by Tyler Michael, who scored all 15 of his team-high point total in the second half. Zachary Coalman (11) and Edwin Cole (10) both registered double-digit rebound performances.

The hard-fought victory was the eighth straight for the Captains over the Bobcats. Christopher Newport now leads the all-time series,14-4. CNU is now 31-3 in its last 34 home games at the Freeman Center dating back through the 2014-2015 season.

CNU now has an eight day break for final exams. The Captains return to action on Sunday, December 11th, hosting York College of Pennsylvania at the Freeman Center. The Spartans are also 5-1 to start the season and 2-0 in CAC play following a victory Saturday over Mary Washington. Game time will again be at 4:00 p.m.

Game Highlights: