ARLINGTON, Va. - Christopher Newport used all 17 available players Saturday, and opened the 52nd season of CNU men's basketball with a 67-51 victory over Trinity (TX). The Captains had three players lead the way with nine points each, as they advanced to the Championship of the Pablo Coto Tipoff Tournament at Marymount University. CNU will play the host school, former Capital Athletic Conference foe Marymount, Sunday at 2:00 p.m. in the title game.

The Captains jumped to an 11-1 lead in the opening minutes and never trailed in the game, going up by as many as 22 in the second half. Trinity, now 0-2, could get no closer than six points when they cut the advantage to 11-5. CNU held a 31-18 edge at the intermission before opening a 64-42 lead for their biggest of the day. A total of 11 Captains got into the scoring column, and fifth-year senior Marcus Carter, junior Cutch Ellis, and sophomore Jason Aigner led the CNU attack with nine points each, and junior Nick Parks added eight. The Captains out-rebounded the Tigers, 40-35, and were led by Carter's eight boards.

"There's clearly a lot of talent on our squad," Head Coach John Krikorian said following the first game of his ninth season leading the Captains. "We've got to work through some things and develop some consistency...but obviously it's a great group. Defensively, we set the tone today and started the season on the right foot."

The Captains held Trinity to just 28 percent shooting for the day, as the Tigers made just 13 of 47 shots. CNU also forced 19 turnovers, scoring 15 points off miscues. It was the first meeting ever of the two schools. CNU and Marymount have played 25 times in the past, with the Captains holding a 21-4 edge in the all-time series. Marymount won both games by two points over the Captains last season in the Saints final in the CAC. Marymount defeated Wilmington (OH) in the first game of the tournament Saturday, 72-68.

"Marymount will be a terrific challenge for us," Krikorian continued. "They're very athletic and we know what they're capable of. They beat a really good Wilmington team today in a tough game...so this will be a great test."

Christopher Newport is now 40-12 in season-opening games all-time. Tipoff Sunday for the title game is set for 2:00 p.m. at Converse Family Fieldhouse on the Marymount campus. The game will 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.

CNU opens the home schedule next Saturday at the Freeman Center, taking on Methodist in the opening round of the CNU Invitational.