NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- As the calendar turns to 2018, the Christopher Newport basketball programs will get back to conference action straight away, hosting Penn State Harrisburg on Wednesday, January 3 at the Freeman Center. Due to the threat of winter weather conditions and the safety of all involved in the doubleheader, the Captains have announced the game times have been moved up to 4:00 pm for the women's bout and 6:00 pm for the men.

With non-conference play behind them, the Captains will steer focus to the Capital Athletic Conference race, back in full effect starting Wednesday. First, the nationally-ranked CNU women's team will carry a 10-1 overall record and undefeated 4-0 CAC mark into the 4:00 pm tip against the Lions, who are 5-6 overall, 0-4 in league play. Following the women's tilt, the CNU men will look to stay hot, carrying a five-game winning streak and a 9-2, 3-1 record into the matchup against Penn State Harrisburg. The Lions are 5-6, 1-3. 

For fans unable to make it to the Freeman Center for the conference action, live stats and a live video webcast will be available of both games at CNUsports.com/live. Direct links can also be found on the schedule page at CNUsports.com. 

In the first game of the twin bill, the Captains will look to remain undefeated against the Penn State Harrisburg Lions with an 8-0 advantage in the all-time series heading into Wednesday's matchup. CNU is at the top of the league standings, tied with Marymount, with matching 4-0 records to start the year against CAC opponents. The Captains have done it with defense, ranking third nationally in steals per game (18.7) and turnovers forced (32.09). The CNU scoring defense also ranks 23rd nationally, holding opponents to just 50.7 points per game. 

Rebounding has also been key for the Captains' success this season, ranking third nationally in offensive rebounds per game while outrebounding opponents by an average of 11.1 boards per game, which also ranks in the top 25 nationally. A balanced stat sheet makes the Captains tough to gameplan for, as no individual is averaging more than 9.2 points or 5.4 rebounds per game so far this season. Only one player is averaging over 20 minutes per game, in junior guard Zhara Tannor. Tannor is averaging 6.2 points per game while leading the defense with 33 steals and also ranking second on the team in assists, with 28. 

Conversely, the Lions have a much shorter bench and feature three players averaging double figures through the first 11 games. Veterans Shanique Mattis (15.5 ppg), Janel Brown (13.1 ppg), and Tessa Dolce (11.9 ppg) lead a roster of 11 players for the Lions. Dolce and Brown are seniors, while Mattis is a junior. Brown leads the league in three-pointers made and attempted with an average of over 9 taken per contest this season. 

Following the women's matchup, the CNU men will look to continue their winning ways with a five-game roll heading into the conference tilt. The Captains are 7-1 all-time against the Lions heading into Wednesday's matchup, with a seven game winning-streak. 

After a year in which only six different players started for head coach John Krikorian, the Captains' guide has already seen twice that in 2017-18, showcasing the youth and depth of CNU's squad this season. With rookie Brandon Edmond picking up his first career starting nod against a tough Johns Hopkins' team in the 2017 Crowne Plaza Captains Shootout Championship, CNU has seen 12 different players marked down to start a game this year. Pushing buttons from opening tip to the final whistle, Krikorian has rotated players up and down the lineup with 12 different Captains averaging double-figure minutes this season. 

Leading the way in the scoring column are a trio of seniors highlighted by the play of Aaron McFarland. In his first year as a full-time starter, McFarland is averaging 31 minutes per game while pouring in 19.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.1 three-pointers made per game. He currently ranks fourth in the CAC in scoring and second in three-point shooting. Joining him atop the scoring list for CNU is forward Spencer Marin, with 12.5 points, 7.8 rebounds per game, and Marcus Carter, who has averaged 11.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game in five appearances this season. 

Penn State Harrisburg will feature the league's leading rebounder and shot blocker in junior big man Gbolahan Alliyu. Alliyu is averaging 10.2 rebounds per game and 3.0 blocks for the Lions, while also pouring in 8.0 points per game. The team's leading scorer has been coming off the bench for most of the season, as Anthony Bennett Jr. is averaging 14.1 points per game in 11 games played with only three starts. Kahlil Williams is also averaging 11.7 points per game on 50% shooting for the year. 

Following Wednesday's return to conference play, the Captains will travel to Marymount University for CAC action on Saturday, January 6. Game times are currently scheduled for 1:00 and 3:00 pm.