Live Stats  ||  Live Video  || Game Notes: Women's Basketball  /  Men's Basketball

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- One week after the undefeated CNU women's basketball team played for sole possession of first place atop the Capital Athletic Conference standings, the nationally-ranked CNU men's team will do the same. The Captains will host Salisbury University in a pivotal conference doubleheader at 5:30 and 7:30 pm, with the men's teams battling for first place in the league standings during the second game. 

The CNU men are ranked third in the country with a 15-2 overall record, while posting a 9-1 start to conference play. Their lone loss came at the hands of Salisbury in mid-December, on a buzzer-beating half-court shot from Chad Barcikowski. The Sea Gulls are ranked 12th in the most recent Top 25 poll, after starting the year 14-3 overall with a matching 9-1 conference mark. 

The tense matchup between the Captains and Sea Gulls has featured some incredible competition over the last two seasons. In four of the last five games, the final score was determined by two points or less, including three one-point games. Last season, CNU got the better of Salisbury by winning three times, including by two points in overtime on the road in the regular season, and then again by one, again in overtime, in the CAC Championship at the Freeman Center. In the 2015 CAC Championship, it was Salisbury who escaped with a one-point win at the end of regulation, while the Sea Gulls have now added the dramatic half-court heave to win by one earlier this season. 

CNU has been a force both offensively and defensively this season, ranking second nationally in scoring defense (57.6 ppg) and third nationally in scoring margin (+17.4). Balance has been key, as four different players are averaging double figures, including a career-high 10.4 points per game from Kevin Regimbal. The senior guard is leading the team in three-point shooting, knocking down 37 triples with 43% accuracy. Senior Rayshard Brown ranks third nationally among active players in games played, taking part in his 106th career contest on Wednesday. He is leading the CAC in assist-to-turnover ratio, which also ranks in the top 60 nationally. 

Salisbury will turn to senior leadership as well, with Wyatt Smith, Justin Witmer, and Gordon Jeter listed as three of the top four leading scorers for the Sea Gulls. Barcikowski, a junior, is the other player at the top of the scoring chart, as Salisbury features a veteran group that has come up in the clutch multiple times already this year.  Three times in conference play Salisbury has won on it's final shot, by three different players. 

On the women's side, CNU will put their pristine 17-0, 10-0 record on the line against a tough Salisbury team that features the league's leading scorer. Senior Lauren Rothfeld is pouring in 15.9 points per game and has helped lead the Sea Gulls to a 9-8 overall record, while going 5-5 in league play. 

Christopher Newport moved up in the polls again this week, and are now listed as a Top 5 team in the nation according to both D3hoops.com and the WBCA Coaches' Poll. The Captains have won 17 straight games, which is tied for the second longest winning streak ever, and is also the second best start to a season in program history. 

CNU has been led by junior Sam Porter, who checked into the top ten all-time in career steals with her last game. She is one of only five active players in the nation to reach the 200-steal mark in her junior season, and currently ranks 13th nationally in steal average (2.85), and fifth among non-seniors. While a constant threat defensively, Porter is also the team's leader on the offensive end, scoring 12.1 points per game. This week, junior Makenzie Fancher was named the CAC Player of the Week and is averaging 8.3 points per game while catching fire from long range. Fancher has hit seven three-pointers in the last two games. 

Salisbury will look to Rothfeld, who has scored in double figures in all but two games this season. The senior leader is the only Sea Gull in double figures, and also ranks second on the team in rebounding with 7.4 boards per game. Junior Mary McDonagh is among the conference's leaders in assists, dishing nearly five per contest, and is second to Rothfeld in scoring with over nine points per game. On the glass, sophomore Kaylyn French leads the way, hauling in 8.4 rebounds per game. 

Live stats and a live video webcast of both games will be available at CNUsports.com/live. Gates will open approximately one hour prior to tip of the women's game, with tickets available at the Freeman Center Ticket Office beginning at 9:00 am on Wednesday. Students with a valid ID will be admitted free.