NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - The long-running rivalry will be renewed Thursday night at the Freeman Center. Christopher Newport against Salisbury in the Capital Athletic Conference semifinals. Start time is set for approximately 8:00 p.m. as the teams meet for the third time this season, and the 45th time in history.

John Krikorian's squad has won seven straight games and the Captains are 23-3, ranked 11th in the country. CNU had little trouble Tuesday night in the quarterfinal home game against Southern Virginia, advancing with a dominant 89-59 triumph. CNU tied a school record for three-pointers in a game, making 18 of 36 shots from long range in the 30-point victory.

Salisbury had a tougher battle Tuesday night, but the Sea Gulls were able to come back from a 20-point halftime deficit and defeat Frostburg State in overtime, 78-76. The Gulls, seeded fourth in the CAC Tournament, are now 19-7 heading into Thursday night's matchup with the top-seeded Captains.  The CNU-Salisbury series goes back to 1980-81 season, and the Captains hold a 29-15 edge. Christopher Newport won both games this season, 67-64 at the Freeman Center on January 23rd, and 91-74 last Wednesday, February 13th, at Salisbury. The Captains have now won six straight games over the Sea Gulls.

Christopher Newport is in its sixth season as a member of the CAC, and the Captains have advanced to the Championship game in each of the last five years since joining the league. CNU and Salisbury will be meeting for the fifth time in the conference tournament, and the Captains are 3-1 vs. the Gulls in tournament games. The teams met for the title three straight years from 2015-17, with CNU winning two of the three title games, both at the Freeman Center and both in thrilling fashion in overtime.

Senior Marcus Carter continues to lead the Captains, averaging 15.5 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. Carter is now tied with Buck Moore for seventh place on the school's all-time scoring list, 59 points behind Antoine Sinclair for sixth place. Carter will set a new school record Thursday night by playing in his 119th career game as a Captain. He has started 111 times in 118 previous games, and is currently tied with former teammate Aaron McFarland with 118 games played. Junior Jason Aigner made seven more three-point field goals Tuesday night, and now has 99 for the season. Aigner is second in single season three-pointers behind Jermaine Woods, who connected for 113 in the 2001-02 campaign.

Thursday night's card at the Freeman Center includes two CAC semifinal games, as the Christopher Newport women take on Mary Washington at 6:00 p.m. in the opener. Tickets for the twin bill will be available at the Freeman Center Ticket Office or by calling 757-594-7880.

The action will be streamed live on CNUsports.com/watch with live stats also available. The men's semifinal will also be broadcast live on the Christopher Newport/Pepsi Radio Network (Xtra 99.1 FM) with the pre-game show beginning at 7:40 p.m. Thursday night's winner will advance to the CAC Championship game on Saturday against the victor of the other semifinal, second-seeded York and third-seeded Mary Washington. Saturday's title game will be played at the higher-seeded school at a time to be determined.

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