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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Christopher Newport, ranked 18th in the nation, ran its winning streak to four games on Saturday thanks to an 89-61 triumph over Penn State-Harrisburg at the Freeman Center. The Captains improved to 15-2 overall and 5-1 in the Capital Athletic Conference.

Junior Savonte Chappell led the way for CNU with 22 points, making nine of ten shots from the field. Sophomore Jason Aigner (17) and senior Marcus Carter (14) also reached double figures in the scoring column.

"Savonte's play was again so important for us," Head Coach John Krikorian said. "He had a tough matchup inside with Chris Bing and really held his own. This was an old school kind of game, with the inside players going head-to-head like that, and Savonte along with Cutch Ellis, Tyler Trimble, and Grant Yates were all a big part of the win."

Chappell, who registered a career-high 23 points at Frostburg State last Saturday, has now scored 68 points over the four-game winning streak for an average of 17 points per game.

After trailing early Saturday, 11-5, CNU took control and eventually extended the lead to 20 at halftime, 47-27. The Captains opened the advantage to as many as 30 in the second half, 79-49, en route to the 28-point final verdict.

Senior Tyler Femi recorded a game-high seven assists as the Captains totaled 24 assists in the triumph. Aigner made five of seven shots, all from behind the three-point line, and also contributed five rebounds and three assists. Ellis, who returned after missing three games due to shin splints, played ten minutes...scoring four points and pulling down two rebounds.  

Christopher Newport, second in the country in opponent field goal percentage defense, held the Lions to just 40 percent shooting (22 of 55). CNU out-rebounded Penn State-Harrisburg, 40-37, with Carter leading the way with seven boards. The Captains have now out-rebounded their opponents in all 15 victories this season. 

The Captains are now 10-1 all-time vs. the Lions. Penn State-Harrisburg (10-7, 2-4) was led by Bing's 20 points and seven rebounds. Bing made all nine shots he attempted from the field.

A season-high crowd of 1,213 watched the Captains go to 9-0 at the Freeman Center this season. The game was the 300th all-time at the Freeman Center, where the Captains are now 245-55 (.817) since the facility opened in the 2000-2001 season.

Saturday's victory leaves the Captains in a first-place tie with Mary Washington at 5-1 atop the CAC standings. Christopher Newport will be home again on Wednesday night, hosting the Sea Gulls of Salisbury (13-4, 3-3) at the Freeman Center. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.



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