CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Christopher Newport University used a 23-5 run in the opening half to get the lead over Denison University, and held off the Big Red, 79-73, in the Jay Bilas Classic at Johnson & Wales University. Junior Toa Hollenbeck led the way with 24 points, as four Captains reached double figures in the scoring column.

John Krikorian's team fell behind in the early-going, 20-8, but awakened thanks in large part to the three-point shooting of two freshmen, Tyler Sprague and Cam Quarles. Sprague scored 11 first half points, with nine coming on three triples, and Quarles scored six on two long shots to spark the CNU offense. Junior Ethan Ward posted 14 points and senior Collin Hines added ten as Christopher Newport improved to 9-3 on the season. Hines also led the Captains in rebounding with eight for the day.

"Our young guys really gave us a lift today," Krikorian said following the victory. "They hit some big shots at key times, and got us going in the first half. Denison is a good team, especially on the glass, and made it tough for us inside. Ethan really battled today, and made a huge rebound late and knocked down the free throws to help us hold them off."

Christopher Newport took its first lead of the game on a three-pointer from Sprague with 5:43 to play in the opening half, and never fell behind again. The Captains went up by as many as 11 thanks to a Hollenbeck triple with 17:43 to play, but the Big Red continued to stay within striking distance. Denison cut the lead as close as three down the stretch, but the Captains were able to hold the lead thanks to solid foul shooting, as CNU made its final four free throws in the final 25 seconds to put the game away. Christopher Newport drained ten-of-12 free throw attempts in the second half.

Hollenbeck, who was held to eight points in Friday's loss to Emory University, bounced back by scoring 11 points in the opening half and 13 more after halftime. He ended the day seven-of-13 from the field and eight-of-nine at the foul stripe.

The Captains shot well from all areas, and made 29-of-55 total shots (53 percent) in the game, and also converted nine-of-15 (60 percent) from three-point range. The Captains were solid at the charity stripe as well, knocking down 12-of-16 (75 percent) at the foul line. The meeting was the first-ever with Denison University, and the Big Red fell to 6-4 with the loss.

The Captains will return to action in the Captains Shootout at the Freeman Center on December 29th and 30th. CNU will play Hood on the 29th with tip off set for 7:00 p.m., and then will take on RIT on December 30th, also at 7:00 p.m. 

"We definitely need this break to continue getting healthy," Krikorian continued. "We've played 12 games in November and December, and now have a chance to get prepared for the Captains Shootout and the rest of our schedule."