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NEWPORT NEWS, Va.- For the second straight season, the Capital Athletic Conference men's basketball championship comes down to a matchup of Christopher Newport and Salisbury. For the Captains, it marks the third straight title game appearance since joining the CAC, but the first ever at the Freeman Center. Game time Saturday is set for 2:00 p.m. The winner will receive the CAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship.

John Krikorian's top-seeded Captains survived a semi-final scare Thursday night, holding off upset-minded St. Mary's, 57-56. It was the 16th straight victory for CNU, and improved the fifth-ranked Captains to 25-1 on the season.

The Captains have travelled to Mary Washington and Salisbury for the last two title games, and have been turned away both times. Now CNU hosts the CAC final for the first time at the Freeman Center, where they are 13-1 this season and have won 87 percent of their games over the last six years since John Krikorian took over the program. One of their home wins this season came over Salisbury, 71-60, on December 2nd.

Salisbury enters play with a 21-5 mark, and downed Mary Washington Thursday night, 83-78, to reach the final. The Sea Gulls, ranked 23rd in the country, have won six straight games since coming up just short against the Captains on February 3rd in Salisbury, MD. CNU prevailed in overtime, 61-59, to wrap up the CAC's regular-season crown.

Both squads pride themselves on superior defense, meaning scoring could be at a minimum Saturday. The teams are separated by less than one point in scoring defense in national statistics. Salisbury is second in the country, allowing 60.0 points per game, while CNU is fifth giving up 60.6 points per game.

The title game will be the 37th meeting of the schools all-time, with the Captains holding a 22-14 advantage in the series.

Tickets will be available at the Freeman Center Ticket Office on Saturday, with doors opening at 1:00 p.m.

The game will be available online with audio and video at CNUsports.com/live. The action will also be broadcast live on the Christopher Newport/Pepsi Radio Network (Xtra 99.1 FM) with the pre-game show beginning at 1:40 p.m.