NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Christopher Newport University and Virginia Wesleyan University staged an epic battle Tuesday night at the Freeman Center in the 92nd all-time meeting of the men's basketball programs. The Captains and Marlins battled for 50 minutes, with CNU emerging with a 97-95 double overtime victory. The triumph was the seventh straight for John Krikorian's squad, and the Captains are now 8-2 on the season. Virginia Wesleyan, ranked 12th in the country this week, had a six-game winning streak snapped and the Marlins are now 7-2.

All five Christopher Newport starters scored in double figures, led by 26 points from junior Toa Hollenbeck, and the Captains got double-doubles from senior Collin Hines (14 points, 12 rebounds) and junior Ethan Ward (13 points, 14 rebounds). Juniors Tyson Henderson and Isaiah Dozier both contributed 18 points as the Captains held off the Marlins despite a 41-point performance from VWU graduate student Omari DeVeaux.

"I found myself just thinking what a great college basketball game this is, and how we were going to be proud of our effort tonight regardless of the outcome," Head Coach John Krikorian said. "They're a terrific team, and so tough to guard, and Toa Hollenbeck really gave us a lift in the second half and the overtimes. I thought we really set the tone early in the game, and never relented, and had a number of contributions that don't show up on the stat sheet. All in all, I'm really proud of our gutsy play and our determination."

The back-and-forth battle was tied at 16 different points, and the lead changed hands 18 times. CNU led for most of the opening half, stretching its advantage to as many as nine, 13-4, in the early-going. The Marlins, however, moved in front for the first time, 36-35, with 2:06 to play and carried a one-point lead to the locker room, 40-39. Roles reversed in the second half, as the Marlins held the lead, going up by as many as eight, 51-43, with 15:37 to play. The Captains rallied and the rivals seesawed down the stretch, with Hollenbeck's jumper with nine seconds remaining evening the game at the end of regulation, 75-75.

The first overtime saw each team score nine points, and the Captains held an 84-82 advantage with 23 seconds remaining following a made free throw by Henderson. The Marlins, however, battled back thanks to DeVeaux's jumper with three seconds left to force a second overtime with the game tied at 84.

The second extra period offered even more drama, as the Captains appeared ready to put to the game away. Christopher Newport surged to a five-point lead, 97-92, following two more free throws from Henderson, only to see the Marlins cut the lead to two on an Amari Moorer three-pointer with six seconds left. As the Captains raced up the court to try to run out the clock, they stepped out of bounds, giving Virginia Wesleyan one last chance with just 1.3 seconds remaining. The Marlins ensuing pass in bounds was deflected on a terrific defensive play by Hines, ending the saga and sealing the CNU victory.

The Captains out-rebounded the Marlins for the night, 58-43, and shot 47 percent overall from the field (37 of 78). CNU was held to just one-of-14 shooting from long range, while the Marlins made eight-of-24 from beyond the arc. Ethan Ward scored all 13 of his points in the second half and overtimes, and also logged 11 of his 14 rebounds after halftime. Isaiah Dozier registered 13 of his 18 points in the second half and overtimes as the Captains upped their home record to 4-1 this season.  

Christopher Newport now leads the all-time series with VWU, 54-38, and the Captains have won eight of the last 12 games. Last year's game in Virginia Beach also needed extra time, as the Captains prevailed in overtime, 74-72, at the Batten Center.

The Captains and Marlins were both playing for the first time in ten days following breaks for final exams. The game marked the first double overtime game for CNU since February 8, 2020, when the Captains lost at York College of Pennsylvania, 101-97.

Tuesday's game was the final regular-season game for the Captains with Virginia Wesleyan University. The school will be changing its name in the summer, and will become Batten University. The lengthy series with the Marlins dates back to the very first year of CNU men's basketball in the 1967-68 season.

The Captains next travel to Charlotte, N.C., for the Jay Bilas Classic this Friday and Saturday. CNU will take on Emory University on Friday, with tip off set for 5:00 p.m. The Captains will then play Denison University on Saturday, with a 3:00 p.m. start time. Both games will be played on the campus of Johnson & Wales University Charlotte.