NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Christopher Newport University's men's basketball team opened the 2021-2022 season in style Friday night, surging to a 102-37 victory over Washington College (Md.). The Captains, who played only exhibition games in empty arenas last season due to the pandemic, never trailed and used a 37-4 run in the opening half to pull away en route to the 65-point triumph at the Freeman Center.

"The atmosphere was terrific tonight, just a great environment here like the days of old," Head Coach John Krikorian said following the fourth-largest victory margin in program history. "I think our guys fed off that, and really stepped up in every phase of the game. I especially thought our defensive effort was, top to bottom, very impressive."

CNU held a 43-12 lead at halftime, and then proceeded to out-score the Shoremen in the second half, 59-25. All 19 student-athletes on the Captains roster saw playing time, with 16 getting into the scoring column. Sophomore forward Ian Anderson led the way with 19 points in just 19 minutes of playing time, one of four Captains to reach double figures. Anderson made eight of 11 shots and also posted five rebounds and three assists. Fifth-year senior guard Jason Aigner posted 15 points on five three-pointers, going five of eight from beyond the arc. Aigner has now scored 1,111 career points in 92 games as a Captain, 25th on the all-time list and just 12 points behind Jo-Jo Chambers for 24th spot.

Freshman Ty Henderson, in his CNU debut, tallied 12 points, and junior Nick Thomas also reached double figures with ten. The Captains out-rebounded the Shoremen, 55-32, and held Washington College to just 25 percent shooting for the night. Senior transfer Darian Peterson, also making his debut in a Captains uniform, pulled down a team-high nine rebounds. The Captains shot 53 percent from the floor for the game (39 of 74) and also made 11 of 28 three-pointers (39 percent). It was the first time CNU has reached the 100-point plateau since February 26, 2019, when the Captains defeated St. Mary's, 100-63, in the Capital Athletic Conference semi-finals.

Friday's victory was the 299th career win for Krikorian, who was coaching in his 400th career game (11th year at CNU and four years at the Merchant Marine Academy). He and the Captains don't have much time to enjoy the opening win of the 54th season of Captains men's basketball. CNU hosts Johns Hopkins on Sunday afternoon, with tipoff scheduled for 4:00 p.m. at the Freeman Center. Krikorian will be going for his 300th career win against the Blue Jays, who are ranked 14th in the country in the pre-season poll from D3hoops.com.