PHOTOS: Gallery from CNU Photographers Ashley Oaks-Clary & Keller Gabriel
PRESS CONFERENCE: Clipped by CNU Videographer Westley Eldredge

SALEM, Va.- Christopher Newport's remarkable journey came to a close Friday night at the Salem Civic Center, as the fourth-ranked Captains had their 21-game winning streak snapped by St. Thomas (MN) in the National Semifinals. CNU lost for just the second time all season, and for the first time in the calendar year 2016, in a 66-62 setback that ends the Captains season at 30-2.

The game marked the first Final Four appearance in the 49-year history of CNU men's basketball, and St. Thomas now advances to play undefeated Benedictine (IL) for the National Championship Saturday night at 6:00 P.M.

"This was an amazing experience for our student-athletes and I can't say enough about what we accomplished this season," Head Coach John Krikorian said. "We just didn't make enough shots, that's what this boiled down to, to win this game."

The Captains got off to a slow start, falling behind 7-0 and missing the first nine three-point attempts of the night. CNU stormed back to eventually tie the game at 19-19 on a layup from senior Tim Daly with 5:16 left, and then grabbed its first lead of the night at 22-19 thanks to a three-pointer from senior Hunter Wetherell with 4:38 to play in the half.

Christopher Newport held a 25-23 advantage following a driving layup from junior Rayshard Brown with 2:29 to play, and then the Tommies took over. St. Thomas scored the final ten points of the half to open a 33-25 advantage at the intermission, and never relinquished the lead. The Captains missed their final two shots of the half and turned the ball over twice as St. Thomas created the halftime edge.

The second half saw the Captains chip away at the lead, only to have the Tommies hold them off time and time again. CNU got as close as four points five different times in the second stanza, including when junior Kevin Regimbal hit a three-pointer on the final buzzer for the 66-62 final verdict.

The Captains were led by sophomore Aaron McFarland's 16 points. Junior Tim Daly registered a double-double with 15 points and ten rebounds, his seventh double-double of the season. Sophomore Marcus Carter, who played just six minutes in the opening half due to foul trouble, scored all ten of his points in the second half.

"We certainly would have liked to extend this another 22 hours or so to get to tomorrow night, but it just wasn't meant to be," Krikorian continued. "St. Thomas is a terrific team and they did a lot of things right tonight."

St. Thomas, now 29-3, was led by junior Grant Shaeffer's 19 points. Senior Taylor Montero posted a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. The Tommies, who shoot over 50 percent from the field on average, were held to 41 percent shooting for the night (23 of 56).

The Captains were victimized by poor foul shooting (3 of 11) and three-point shooting (5 of 19). The Tommies also out-rebounded CNU, 40-35.

The magical season for the Captains included a new single-season record for wins with 30, a first-ever Capital Athletic Conference title, the second-longest winning streak ever (21 games), as well as the first trip to the Final Four.

"I can't say enough how proud I am of this team," Krikorian stressed. "We came so far and accomplished so much. We will definitely miss the leadership of our three seniors (Connor Laframboise, Hunter Wetherell, and Ben Watkins). They will be very difficult to replace."

A crowd of 2,265 watched the semifinals at the Salem Civic Center, including a large section of Captains fans who made the four-hour trip from Newport News.

"I want to thank all the fans who came out tonight and everone who made this Final Four so special," junior Kevin Regimbal said. "We've got memories that will last a long, long time."

Senior Ben Watkins was also thankful.

"The guys on this team will be my brothers for all time. We'll be looking back at this many years from now and remembering this amazing season."