NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Christopher Newport University opened a 17-point second half lead Thursday night over UC Santa Cruz, but then had to hold off the Banana Slugs down the stretch to record a 71-64 victory at the Freeman Center. The win in the battle of Coast-To-Coast Athletic Conference members was the ninth straight for the Captains, and the 16th in the last 17 games for John Krikorian's squad.

Junior Toa Hollenbeck led the way for CNU, scoring 21 points, with 18 coming in the second half. Junior Zyir Baskerville (13), senior Collin Hines (12), and junior Tyson Henderson (10) also reached double digits in the scoring column for the Captains, who improved to 17-3 on the season.

"This is conference basketball as we head into February, and nothing is going to be easy," Krikorian said following the win. "You've got to fight for every point and defend your basket, and I think we did that for the most part tonight. Credit to Santa Cruz, they made a great run but we did enough to hold on down the stretch." 

The Captains trailed for most of the first half, but managed to pull in front on a Hines layup with three minutes to go in the first half, 25-24, and went on to hold a 29-27 advantage at the intermission. CNU then stretched the lead to as many as 17 three different times midway through the second half, including a 57-40 edge with 9:23 to go.

The Banana Slugs, who fell to 12-8, then mounted a comeback effort that saw them out-score the Captains, 22-6, over the next six minutes to cut the lead to one. The Captains withstood the charge by scoring the final six points of the game over the last 1:22, and never relinquished the lead. A layup by Baskerville with 1:22 to go was followed by two made free throws by Henderson with 28 seconds left, and two more from Hollenbeck with nine seconds remaining to seal the victory.

Christopher Newport out-rebounded the Slugs, 50-35, as junior Ethan Ward and Henderson each posted eight boards. Junior Jason Ofcarcik came off the bench to tally seven points, seven rebounds, three steals, and two blocks for the Captains, who improved to 10-1 at the Freeman Center this season. 

"It was a great battle inside tonight," Krikorian continued. "Ethan, Jason, and Luka Matic as well all gave us good minutes in the paint and really held their own. Santa Cruz obviously has a guy inside who makes things difficult, but we got some shots to fall and did enough to win."

Sophomore Ben Lim led the UC Santa Cruz effort with 17 points and six rebounds. Senior big man Joseph Espy recorded 15 points, seven rebounds, and four blocked shots as the Banana Slugs had a six-game winning streak snapped. The Captains now hold a 9-1 advantage in the all-time series, and have won four in a row over the Slugs.

Christopher Newport next hosts the third-ranked Eagles of the University of Mary Washington next Wednesday at the Freeman Center. Tip off time is set for 7:00 p.m.