NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Christopher Newport defeated Randolph-Macon Saturday at the Freeman Center, 72-61, as the Captains ended the Yellow Jackets' ten-game winning streak to open the season. CNU improved to 7-1 by holding the 16th-ranked Jackets to just 40 percent shooting and allowing just 61 points to a team averaging 83 per game.

"Our defensive effort was terrific," Head Coach John Krikorian said following the victory. "We did a great job on the boards, especially in the second half, and limited their three-point shooting, which they really rely on."

CNU jumped to a 27-12 lead in the first half before R-MC rallied to cut the lead to four at the break, 33-29. The Yellow Jackets then surged ahead with a 17-3 run to open the second half, grabbing a 42-36 advantage. The Captains responded by taking control of the game with a 22-5 run to regain control, 58-47, and held the 11-point margin until the game's final horn.. 

Senior Marcus Carter again led the way for the Captains, scoring 18 points and pulling down eight rebounds. Junior Cutch Ellis added 17 points and seven boards, and sophomore Jason Aigner recorded 14 points and eight rebounds.

The Captains, who have now won the last seven meetings with Randolph-Macon, made 25 of 59 shots (42 percent) and drained nine of 26 three-pointers (35 percent). CNU won the rebounding battle, 42-31, by out-rebounding the Yellow Jackets in the second half, 26-12. 

Junior Luther Gibbs, playing with a broken finger, still managed to post five points, five rebounds, an assist, and a blocked shot  in 18 minutes of playing time. Fellow junior Savonte Chappell added eight points in just ten minutes off the bench.

Randolph-Macon, now 10-1, was led by sophomore Buzz Anthony's 18 points. The Yellow Jackets were held to 23 of 57 shooting for the day (40 percent) and made just four of 13 from three-point range (31 percent). The Yellow Jackets now lead the all-time series with CNU, 18-10.

After an eight-day break for final exams, Christopher Newport returns to action next Sunday, December 16th, hosting Virginia Wesleyan at the Freeman Center. Tip off for the Captains and Marlins set for 4:00 p.m. CNU is now 3-1 vs. schools from the Old Dominion Athletic Conference this season, and next Sunday's game vs. VWC  will be the fifth straight game against the ODAC for the Captains.

"This is an important week obviously," Krikorian continued. "We're going to enjoy this win and then focus on finals for the next few days. We'll get back to work late in the week and get ready for Virginia Wesleyan."

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