ASHLAND, Va. - Christopher Newport and Randolph-Macon staged an exciting season-opener Wednesday night at Crenshaw Gymnasium, with the Captains holding off the Yellow Jackets, 69-64. The game featured 15 lead changes and was tied seven times.

"That was about as exciting a college basketball game you could ever ask for," CNU Head Coach John Krikorian said. "To open up on the road against a state rival like Randolph-Macon and playing a lot of young guys, it certainly makes it a special win."

Christopher Newport led by as many as ten in the first half before the Yellow Jackets scored the final eight points to cut the CNU lead to two at the break, 33-31.The second half was a seesaw battle waged until the final minute when the Captains held off the Yellow Jackets by scoring the game's final seven points. R-MC held a 64-62 lead with 1:15 to play thanks to a jumper from Daniel Noe. CNU responded with a three-point field goal from freshman Jason Aigner, his fifth of the night, that put the Captains in front to stay. CNU closed out the victory by converting four free throw attempts in the final minute, two each from junior Tyler Femi and sophomore Luther Gibbs, to conclude the 69-64 triumph. Randolph-Macon, picked to finish second this season in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, missed its final four shots in the last minute of action.

The Captains, ranked 14th in the country in the pre-season poll from D3Hoops.com, were led by senior Spencer Marin and Aigner, who scored 15 points each. Marin, who had seen limited time in his first three seasons behind Tim Daly at the center position, made seven of 11 shots and also pulled down seven rebounds...recording career highs in both points and rebounds.

"Spencer was just terrific tonight," Krikorian continued. "He made some big plays, including a great move in the second half with just under three minutes to go that came at a time when we were really struggling. I can't say enough about what he's done...he's worked hard even though he hasn't gotten to play much with Tim Daly ahead of him. He showed tonight how much he's matured and how much he can add to our program."

Aigner, one of six freshmen on the CNU roster, played 31 minutes off the bench and connected on five of 12 attempts, all behind the three-point line, in his first collegiate game. The 6-2 guard led the Captains in rebounding with eight. Sophomore Luther Gibbs, who played the point for the first time in his career, added 12 points and five boards.

CNU out-rebounded the Yellow Jackets, 39-33, and the Captains ended up making nine of ten free throw attempts in the second half after only converting two of five in the opening stanza. Randolph-Macon connected on just six of 13 attempts at the charity stripe for the night. From the field, the Captains shot 48 percent (25 of 52) to R-MC's 43 percent (27 of 63).

Christopher Newport played five of six freshmen on its roster, and the five newcomers saw a total of 67 minutes played and contributed a grand total of 24 points and 15 rebounds. The Captains were without the services of senior Aaron McFarland, and senior starter Marcus Carter left the game five minutes into the opening half when he turned an ankle. Carter scored two points, making one of three shots, and also posted a rebound. His injury status will be evaluated Thursday.

"It was just a fun game to watch and I'm sure it was to play in as well," Krikorian said. "If they're all like that, I'm not sure I'll make it through the season...but I'm really proud of our guys."

The victory for CNU was the sixth straight in the series with Randolph-Macon, and came in front of a packed house at Crenshaw Gymnasium. CNU next travels to Frederick, Maryland, this weekend for the Frederick Rotary Club's Holiday Classic. The Captains will take on Catholic University Saturday at 4:00 p.m. in the opening game of the two-day tournament, which will conclude on Sunday with the third-place game at 1:00 p.m. followed by the title game at 3:00 p.m. Hood College and Wilmington (Ohio) round out the field for the tournament.