NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Four teams off to good starts come together in the Christopher Newport Classic Men's Basketball Tournament beginning Friday at the Freeman Center. The Classic will continue Saturday, with two games played each day and the matchups pre-determined. The host Captains (3-1) will play Randolph (2-1) Friday night at 7:30 p.m. following the opening game between Mary Washington (4-1) and Lynchburg (4-1), which is set to tip off at 5:30 p.m.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Christopher Newport is ranked ninth in the nation and is off to a 3-1 start to the season. The Captains won two games last weekend in Lancaster, Pa., take capture the William Marshall Tipoff Tournament at Franklin & Marshall College. Christopher Newport defeated Marywood in the opening game last Friday, and then defeated the host Diplomats Saturday night for the title. Junior Jason Aigner was selected the MVP of the tourney, while senior Luther Gibbs was also named to the All-Tournament squad.

Aigner scored 34 points in the two Christopher Newport wins in the F&M tournament, and Gibbs contributed 17 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, six steals and a block in the two victories. Over the first four games to open the season, Aigner is averaging a team-high 15 points per game, while freshman Ian Anderson is scoring 9.8 and senior Dalon McHugh II is averaging 9.5 points. The Captains are led in the rebounding column by a trio of seniors (Cutch Ellis 6.0, and Gibbs and Nick Parks at 5.5 boards per game).

Randolph College heads into Friday's game with the Captains with a 2-1 record. After opening the season with a loss to Greensboro, the Wildcats have bounced back with victories over Southern Virginia and William Peace. Randolph posted an 85-76 victory over the Pacers on Wednesday night.

Mary Washington heads into the Classic with a 4-1 mark, and the Eagles had their four-game winning streak to open the season snapped on Wednesday in an 84-80 loss at Bridgewater. Lynchburg is currently riding a three-game winning streak and the Hornets are also 4-1 so far. LC defeated Methodist last Sunday, 93-69, in its last game. 

Following Friday's doubleheader, the Classic will continue with another double dip on Saturday at the Freeman Center with Mary Washington taking on Randolph at 5:00 p.m. followed by the Captains against Lynchburg at 7:00 p.m.

All Christopher Newport games are broadcast live on the Christopher Newport/Pepsi Radio Network (Xtra 99.1 FM). Friday's pre-game show will begin at approximately 7:10 p.m. All four games of the Classic will be streamed live on CNUsports.com/watch and live stats will also be available for all four games.

CLICK HERE FOR CAPTAINS GAME NOTES