GALLOWAY, N.J. - Christopher Newport University opened 2026 by holding off the Profs of Rowan University, 64-58, Friday at the Stockton University Classic. Junior Toa Hollenebck led the way for CNU with 19 points, surpassing the 1,000-point mark for his career and becoming the 35th player in CNU history to reach the plateau.

Junior Tyson Henderson scored 15 points and freshman Tyler Sprague also reached double digits wih ten points as the Captains improved to 12-3, while the Profs fell to 2-9 on the year.

"Credit to Rowan, they were tough and very physical at the rim especially in the first half," Head Coach John Krikorian said. "We were reluctant to drive inside and finish the way we are capable of. We did a much better job in the second half, and I think our defense really carried the day today. We were able to limit their three leaders, and that proved to be the big difference in the game."

Both squads held eight-point advantages in the opening half, and Christopher Newport went to the locker room with a three-point lead at the intermission, 28-25. Rowan surged ahead and led for much of the second half before the Captains jumped in front, 48-47, on a three-pointer by Henderson with seven minutes to play, and never fell behind again. The Captains were able to record the victory despite shooting just 39 percent from the field, and committing 17 turnovers.

Christopher Newport's defense held Rowan to just 31 percent shooting, and CNU was dominant on the glass, out-rebounding the Profs, 53-36. Junior Ethan Ward led the Captains with a dozen boards and junior Ryan Derderian posted eight.

Hollenbeck hit the 1,000-point mark with just over 12 minutes to play in the opening half with his second field goal of the game. He had entered Friday's game with 996 career points, and now has scored 1,015 career points in 74 games as a Captain.

"Toa is an elite scorer, very consistent, and he's had a great career," Krikorian continued. "I'm very excited about what he's going to continue to do as his game continues to develop."

The game was just the second meeting of the schools, and the Captains have won both. Christopher Newport returns to action on Saturday, playing the host team, Stockton University, in a 2:00 p.m. matinee.