SALISBURY, Md. - Christopher Newport University never trailed Wednesday night at Salisbury University, but the Captains were stretched to the final seconds by the Sea Gulls in a 62-55 victory. The win was the 16th straight for John Krikorian's team, and improved CNU's record to 19-2 for the season. Sophomores Jahn Hines and Trey Barber each scored 14 points, while senior Darian Peterson and freshman Ty Henderson both posted 12 points in the gritty battle at the Maggs Center. 

The Captains, ranked fourth in the country this week, jumped to an 11-0 lead to start the game, and held a 33-23 advantage at the half. Christopher Newport pushed the lead to as many as 17 midway through the second half before the Sea Gulls turned up the pressure. Salisbury used a 15-2 run in the final minutes to shrink CNU's 56-40 lead with 4:40 remaining to just three, 58-55, with 37 seconds left. The Captains withstood the furious comeback effort, as Peterson knocked down four straight free throws in the final 32 seconds to preserve the victory. Christopher Newport made 14 of 15 foul shots for the night, and didn't record a field goal in the final 6:10 yet still managed to win.

"Salisbury deserves a lot of the credit, they made it tough for us offensively all night tonight and then put us on the ropes down the stretch," Krikorian said. "To our credit, we didn't fold under the pressure and found a way to pull out the win. This is the kind of game, being challenged like that, that will help us down the road. We'll take this win, watch the tape, and learn from it."

Peterson not only sealed the win with his foul shooting, but also registered his second straight double-double and third of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Peterson was coming off a 23-point, 11-rebound performance in CNU's victory at William Peace last Wednesday night, 91-66.

The Captains found it difficult to pull away from the stubborn Sea Gulls, and were held to just 33 percent shooting for the game (21 of 63). Christopher Newport also converted just six of 21 from long range (29 percent). CNU and Salisbury both finished the game with 45 rebounds, marking the first time this season the Captains failed to out-rebound an opponent in a victory. Salisbury, now 8-10, was held to 35 percent shooting for the night (23 of 66), and the Gulls failed to have a player reach double figures. Brandon Craig and Gary Briddell led the SU offense with nine points each.

Hines, who scored just two points in the first half, tallied a dozen in the second half including eight straight points over a two-minute span midway through the half. His second stanza also included six straight made free throws. Peterson also stood out after halftime, when he scored eight of his 12 points. Hines and Peterson combined to score 20 of the Captains 29 points after the intermission.

The victory was the tenth straight for the Captains in the all-time series with the Sea Gulls. CNU now holds a 33-15 lead, and has won 13 of the last 14 head-to-head matchups. The teams will meet again at the Freeman Center on Saturday, February 12th in a 4:00 p.m. tipoff.

Christopher Newport returns to the Freeman Center next Wednesday night, hosting Mary Washington. Game time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The Captains are 11-0 at home this season.