NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The Christopher Newport basketball teams return to the Freeman Center on Wednesday night, as the Captains host St. Mary's College of Maryland. First, the 17th-ranked CNU women will host the Seahawks at 5:30 pm followed by the 21st-ranked Captains' men's team taking the court at 7:30 pm. 

The CNU women are 10-3 overall with a 1-1 mark in conference play. Coming off a loss at Mary Washington, the Captains will look to bounce back against St. Mary's, who has gone 4-9 overall with an 0-2 record in conference play. On the men's side, the Captains have started the year 11-2 overall with a 1-1 mark against CAC foes, taking on the Seahawks at 4-9, 0-2. 

For fans who can not attend the Freeman Center, live stats and a live video webcast will be available for both games at CNUsports.com. 

Led by senior forward Jessica Daguilh, the Captains are averaging over 77 points per game while holding opponents to under 60 per contest. Daguilh is pouring in 10 points and grabbing 7.5 rebounds per game, including a career-high 27 points against York (Pa.) last week. The freshman class, led by Sondra Fan, Jessica Foster, and Natalie Terwilliger, has been thrust into pivotal minutes and the aforementioned trio have been dangerous beyond the arc. Foster leads the Captains with 30 three-pointers made while Fan and Terwilliger have each added 11. 

Defensively, sophomore Bailey Hodges has 25 steals while the Captains are averaging 17.0 per game as a team. Fan has 26 to help pace the frenetic defensive unit that is holding opponents to just 37.3% shooting. 

St. Mary's (Md.) is  led by sophomore forward Hallie Persell, scoring 11.2 points per game this season. Senior Katie Robey has added 10.2 points per game and sophomore Kyaira Priest is averaging 9.5 points per game. Nine different Seahawks have started at least one game this year and only Robey has started all 13. 

On the men's side, the Seahawks have enjoyed a big turnaround from a tough 3-22 season a year ago. Already doubling their win total from last season, St. Mary's (Md.) has been led by junior forward Spencer Schultz, pouring in a league-best 21.3 points per game. Junior guard Matt Ayoub continues to be one of the toughest three-point threats in the league, knocking down 47.4% of shots from beyond the arc while averaging 15.9 points per game. 

The CNU men will counter with one of the nation's elite defensive units, ranking third in the country in field-goal percentage defense (.352). The Captains' scoring defense ranks 11th nationally, holding opponents to an average of 62.2 points per game. 

Offensively, senior Marcus Carter leads the team in both scoring and rebounding, averaging 16.3 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. Sophomore Jason Aigner is averaging 13.5 points per game while also dropping in 3.1 made three-pointers per game, while junior Cutch Ellis has started all 13 games with 9.8 points and 5.0 rebounds per game.

Following Wednesday's action, the Captains will travel to Frostburg State University to take on the Bobcats Saturday, January 12.