NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Christopher Newport University evened its record at 1-1 Tuesday night, as the ninth-ranked Captains pulled away from Shenandoah University, 85-62. Four Captains reached double figures and 11 contributed in the scoring column as Christopher Newport successfully opened the 20th season of action in the Freeman Center.

Junior Jason Aigner led the way with 14 points, and knocked down four three-point field goals for the Captains. Seniors Dalon McHugh II and Cutch Ellis as well as freshman Ian Anderson all tallied 11 points.

"There were definitely positive signs tonight, especially in the rebounding column," Head Coach John Krikorian said. "We needed a bounce back after our loss at Johns Hopkins on Saturday, and I was pleased with the effort. There's a long way to go, and a lot that we have to figure out, but there's great potential."

The Captains, ranked ninth in the nation in the pre-season poll from D3hoops.com, jumped in front of the Hornets in the opening minutes, 9-8, and never relinquished the lead. After opening a 20-point advantage, 43-23, SU cut the lead at the half to 15, 45-30. Christopher Newport slowly added to the lead through the second half, eventually going up by as many as 26 en route to the 23-point triumph.

Christopher Newport out-rebounded Shenandoah, 60-41, and the Captains recorded 22 offensive boards. Senior Nick Parks pulled down nine rebounds to go with eight points, and Ellis posted eight boards to go with 11 points. Senior Luther Gibbs scored eight points, tallied seven rebounds, and also contributed six assists, two blocks and a steal.

The Captains held the Hornets to 32 percent shooting for the night. Senior Alan Dabney and sophomore Jaylen Williams each scored 13 to lead the Hornets, who dropped to 0-2 to start the season. Christopher Newport now holds a 49-13 lead in the all-time series with SU, and the Captains have won the last ten meetings.

Christopher Newport now has a record of 255-54 (.825) all-time at the Freeman Center, and the Captains have won 19 straight on C.J. Woollum Court. The Captains travel to Lancaster, Pa., this weekend for the Franklin & Marshall Tournament. Christopher Newport plays Marywood on Friday afternoon at 5:30 p.m. to open the two-day, four-team tourney.

NOTES
Freshman Ian Anderson has scored 11 points in each of his first two games as a Captain...the Captains recorded 20 assists and blocked six Shenandoah shots...Christopher Newport out-scored Shenandoah in the paint, 46-30, and on fast breaks, 16-6...the Captains only took nine foul shots in the victory, making seven.

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