NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Tenth-ranked Christopher Newport University held off a stubborn Averett University squad Monday night at the Freeman Center, registering a 61-50 victory over the Cougars. Senior All-American Jahn Hines led the way with 14 points, eight coming in the second half as the Captains opened up a close game and posted their sixth straight victory.

The Cougars jumped to an early 9-2 lead before the Captains used a 10-2 run to go ahead for the first time, 12-11. CNU's advantage would grow to only two points at halftime, 25-23, and Averett surged back ahead early in the second half, 27-25. Sophomore Collin Hines drained a three-pointer with 16:37 to play to give the Captains a 28-27 edge, and Christopher Newport would not relinquish the lead the rest of the way. The three from Hines sparked a 33-16 run for the Captains, who would eventually build a 15-point lead, 58-43, en route to the 11-point triumph.

"It was a hard-fought victory, and we expected Averett to give us a physical, half-court battle," Head Coach John Krikorian said following the win. "We had a lot of freshmen on the floor, and they got a learning experience tonight. But overall I thought our defensive effort was terrific all night, and we rebounded well."

Christopher Newport held a 40-34 edge on the boards, and held Averett to 41 percent shooting. The Captains limited AU's leading scorer for the year, senior Jordan Lewis, to just four points on one-of-nine shooting. Lewis came into the game averaging almost 14 points per game.

Fifth-year senior Ian Anderson filled the stat sheet for the Captains by scoring nine points, posting seven rebounds, and adding six steals, five assists and a blocked shot. Christopher Newport, now 7-2, had 11 different players reach the scoring column, and 14 total student-athletes saw action. The Captains were without the services of senior All-American big man Trey Barber, their leading scorer and rebounder.

The Captains again were plagued by poor foul shooting, making just six of 17 attempts at the charity stripe. CNU's shooting from long distance improved as the night wore on, though, as the Captains made five three-pointers in the second half on 13 attempts after missing all five three-point attempts in the opening half. Junior Ty Henderson knocked down two, and Collin Hines as well as freshmen Hasan Hammad and Toa Hollenbeck each drained one.  

Averett, now 1-9, fell for the seventh straight time. Junior Bryce Shaw led the Cougars with 18 points, with a dozen coming in the second stanza. The game was the 91st meeting of the programs, and the Captains now hold a 74-17 lead in the all-time series.

Monday's game was the first of four for the Captains in a nine-day stretch. CNU will host the Marlins of Virginia Wesleyan University Thursday night at the Freeman Center. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.