NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Junior Tyson Henderson scored a career-high 29 points Monday night as Christopher Newport University defeated Hood College, 96-79, on the opening day of the Captains Shootout at the Freeman Center. Junior Toa Hollenbeck added 27 points as the Captains improved to 10-3 on the year.

CNU scorched the nets in the first half, knocking down 12 three-pointers on 24 attempts, and finished the game with 16 from long range. Henderson led the way, making all five of his three-point attempts, and Hollenbeck connected for four triples as the Captains upped their record at home this season to 5-1.

"We executed the game plan perfectly tonight," Head Coach John Krikorian said following the triumph. "It's not just about making the shots, but taking the right shots, and I thought we showed incredible poise, we moved the ball well, didn't turn the ball over, and found the guys who had the hot hand. We don't see that kind of zone defense very often, and I thought we did a really good job navigating that thanks to a couple of days of good preparation."

Hood opened the scoring, taking a 2-0 lead that proved to be the final lead of the game for the Blazers, who fell to 7-2 for the season. The Captains followed with a 17-6 run and eventually stretched the lead to as many as 23 in the opening half, 43-20. CNU held a 48-29 edge at the half, and pushed the advantage to as many as 27 in the second stanza. The Blazers rallied but never got closer than 17, which proved to be the final verdict.

Henderson, whose previous career best was 23 points scored, tallied his new high of 29 in just 29 minutes of playing time. He ended up 10-of-12 from the field overall as well as seven-of-nine on threes. Henderson also registered seven rebounds, five assists, one block and one steal.

"Tyson is having a terrific year, and I think there's a lot more in there," Krikorian continued. "What a great night for him to get hot, and hopefully kick start the new year."

The Captains made 36 of 72 total shots for 50 percent shooting, and connected on 16-of-37 from distance (43 percent). The 16 threes was just two shy of the CNU single-game record of 18 three-pointers. Christopher Newport  out-rebounded the Blazers, 44-34, and junior Ethan Ward led the Captains on the glass with eight boards. Junior Brian Weiser came off the CNU bench to play 20 minutes, and score six points, pull down six rebounds, and dish out five assists.

Coming into the game, Hood was averaging 12 three-pointers and 96 points per game. CNU's defense held the Blazers to just 41 percent overall shooting (26 of 64), and Hood knocked down just nine-of-26 three-point attempts (35 percent). 

"For the majority of the game, our guys stayed connected, we switched screens when necessary, and defended the three-point line," Krikorian added. "They're the top team in the country in scoring efficiency and I thought our guys did a tremendous job defensively."

In Monday's first game, the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) defeated Johnson & Wales University of Charlotte, 71-66. RIT, now 3-4, will play the Captains Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m. at the Freeman Center. Tuesday's first game will begin at 5:00 p.m. as Hood takes on Johnson & Wales.