NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The stage is set for a Top-25 battle at the Freeman Center on Saturday afternoon, as the nationally-ranked Christopher Newport Captains (6-0) host Messiah College (6-1) at 2:00 pm. Both teams have won six straight games heading into the early season non-conference matchup. 

Live stats and live video will be available at CNUsports.com for the action and the doors will open at 1:00 pm. 

The Captains are coming off a 102-56 thrashing of Bridgewater College on the road Wednesday night, marking the fifth win this season of 25 points or more. CNU also recorded it's third straight 50+ rebound performance by grabbing a season-high 54 boards against the Eagles. Messiah edged out Widener in their first conference game of the season on Wednesday, 69-66, on the road. After dropping the first game of the season to York (Pa.), the Falcons have run off six straight wins. 

CNU is ranked No. 14 and Messiah No. 11 in the WBCA Top 25, while the D3hoops.com national rankings have the two flipped with CNU at No. 11 and the Falcons No. 14. Messiah and Christopher Newport have played just once before in program history, as the Captains downed the Falcons in the 2010-11 season, 67-59. 

As has been the case for several years, the Captains continue to lean heavily on offensive depth, with no player averaging more than 11.2 points per game. Junior Kiana Kirkland is the leading scorer, while rookie Natalie Terwilliger is the only other CNU player averaging double figures with 10.2 points per game. On the defensive end of the floor, the Captains continue to frustrate opponents with relentless pressure, forcing 203 turnovers in the first six games. Five Captains have already reached double figure steal totals, led by 18 from senior Zhara Tannor. 

Messiah enters the contest averaging 69.3 points per game while shooting 40% from the floor as a team. A pair of dangerous seniors lead the way for the Falcons as Maci Thornton is averaging 18.3 points per game and Alecia Rohrer is pouring in 16.4 points per game. Rohrer is knocking down nearly 54% of her shots and is averaging a double-double with 12.7 rebounds per game as well. Thornton has buried 20 triples in the first seven games while also dishing 2.0 assists per contest. 

Following the nationally-ranked matchup, the Captains will return to action on Thursday, December 6 as they travel to North Carolina Wesleyan for a 6:00 pm tip against the Battling Bishops.