NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Ring in the new year on Sunday, as the nationally-ranked Christopher Newport men's and women's basketball squads host a non-conference doubleheader at the Freeman Center. The undefeated women's team will take on Newport News Apprentice School at 2:00 p.m. followed by the men's team hosting Virginia Wesleyan at 4:00 p.m.
Bill Broderick's women's program is off to a 10-0 start, and the Captains are ranked tenth in the country. CNU is coming off an 81-51 victory over Virginia Wesleyan on Friday at the Freeman Center. It's just the third time in program history the Captains have started a season with ten straight in the win column.
Christopher Newport was led Friday by a quartet of players reaching double figures. Junior
Devon Byrd posted her first double-double of the season with ten points and 11 rebounds. Byrd's fellow frontcourt starter, junior
Sam Porter, led the way with 17 points and nine rebounds as well. Juniors
Makenzie Fancher and
Bailey Dufrene each added a dozen points in the 30-point triumph.
Newport News Apprentice School is 4-9 so far this season, and the Builders are coming off a two-week break for the holidays. The squad has dropped four of its last five games entering 2017.
The CNU men are 8-2 on the season, and currently ranked ninth in the nation.
John Krikorian's team is fresh off two dominant performances in the Crowne Plaza Captains Shootout this week. CNU captured the two-day tournament with decisive victories over Pitt-Greensburg (96-43) and SUNY-Old Westbury (86-41).
Junior All-American Marcus Carter was named the MVP of the Shootout after scoring 28 points in the two victories, including a game-high 20 vs. UPG. Senior Tim Daly and freshman Luther Gibbs were also selected to the All-Tournament squad.
Virginia Wesleyan is 8-2 so far this season, and the Marlins have won five straight games heading into the new year. VWC played on Friday, winning 100-85 at home over Mary Washington in Virginia Beach.
Sunday's doubleheader will be the final non-conference games of the season for both CNU programs, with both facing 14 Capital Athletic Conference tilts through January and February.
Tickets for the twin bill will be available at the Freeman Center Ticket Office on Sunday.
Live video of both games will be available on CNUsports.com/live.
The men's game will be broadcast live on the Christopher Newport/Pepsi Radio Network (Xtra 99.1 FM) with the pre-game show beginning at 3:40 p.m.
CLICK HERE FOR CNU WOMEN'S NOTES
