STAUNTON, Va. - Christopher Newport University held off upset-minded Mary Baldwin University Saturday afternoon at the Physical Activities Center, 64-61. Senior All-Americans Trey Barber and Jahn Hines led the way as the tenth-ranked Captains recorded their fifth straight victory. Barber posted a game-high 22 points and pulled down nine rebounds while Hines recorded 19 points as the Captains improved to 6-2 on the season. 

"Trey Barber was really efficient today at the offensive end, making nine of ten shots, and was obviously a key for us," Head Coach John Krikorian said following the road triumph. "Jahn Hines wasn't quite as efficient, but he's such a battler and he came through for us when we really needed him to in the second half."

Mary Baldwin, now 2-4, drained nine three-pointers, and pushed the Captains to the wire in the first meeting ever of the programs. CNU led by as many as eight in the opening half, 17-9, before the Fighting Squirrels used a 19-6 run to claim a 28-23 edge, their biggest of the game. The Captains bounced back with a 12-5 surge to take a two-point at halftime, 35-33. The second half saw the Captains open a six-point lead at three different junctures, only to have the Squirrels battle from behind to keep it close. It took crucial free throws from freshman Tyson Henderson with 21 seconds remaining and Barber with three seconds left to preserve the victory. Christopher Newport, the defending National Champions, was plagued by poor foul shooting, making just 13 of 28 in the game, and just nine of 20 in the second half.

"Foul shooting is something we are going to have to overcome," Krikorian continued. "It's been an issue all season, and nobody worked harder on it this past week than we did. It's part mental and part physical, but we're capable of shooting much better and we're going to have to keep grinding and get to a point where we have the confidence we need each and every time we go to the line."

CNU out-rebounded MBU, 49-30, with fifth-year senior Ian Anderson and Barber leading on the boards with nine each. Mary Baldwin was led by Jaden Ignacio's 15 points and Mekhi Reid's eight boards, both off the bench. 

Hines jumped into a tie for 23rd place on CNU's all-time scoring list with Terry Thomas Saturday following his 19-point effort. He moved ahead of both Jo-Jo Chambers and Jeremy Romeo on the list

Christopher Newport now has an eight-day break for final exams before returning to action on Monday, December 11th. The Captains will host Averett University at the Freeman Center with tipoff set for 6:00 p.m.