CLINTON, NY - Christopher Newport's men's basketball squad has arrived in central New York and the ninth-ranked Captains are prepared to take on Hamilton College for the first time ever Friday night. Tip off time is set for 7:30 p.m. at Scott Field House in the sectional round of the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship.

The game will follow another Sweet 16 showdown between second-ranked Whitman (WA) and 19th-ranked Williams. Friday's winners will meet on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. with the victor advancing to the national semifinals in Fort Wayne, IN, next Friday, March 15th.

CNU is 27-3 and riding an 11-game winning streak. The Captains opened NCAA play at home last weekend, posting convincing triumphs over Albertus Magnus (85-59), and Alfred (88-53) at the Freeman Center. John Krikorian's squad finished the season with an 18-0 mark at home. The Captains flew into Syracuse late Wednesday night, then traveled an hour by bus to their headquarters in Utica. CNU practiced at Scott Field House on the Hamilton campus Thursday afternoon, and will shoot there again Friday afternoon.

"We've had a great trip and we're excited to play in a new environment for us here," Krikorian said. "I'm looking forward to a high-level college basketball game and a fantastic test for our team."

Hamilton is 25-4 and ranked tenth in the nation. The Continentals were at home last weekend as well, advancing with victories over Penn State-Behrend (72-70) and Moravian (83-72).  

The game will be broadcast live on the Christopher Newport/Pepsi Radio Network (Xtra 99.1 FM) with the pre-game show beginning at approximately 7:10 p.m. The game will also be streamed live on CNUsports.com/watch with live stats also available.

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