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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - March Madness begins as Christopher Newport University hosts an NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament Regional beginning Friday afternoon at the Freeman Center. The action begins at 3:15 p.m. as the University of Mount Union takes on Washington & Jefferson College. The Captains follow by playing Stevens Institute of Technology in a 5:45 p.m. start. The winners will advance to play Saturday at 5:45 p.m. at the Freeman Center.

John Krikorian's squad has now reached the NCAA Tournament for the tenth straight season, and this year was selected as an at-large bid. The string of appearances is the longest-running in the country, and this will mark CNU's 13th NCAA Tournament in 15 seasons since Krikorian took control of the program. In all, it's the 29th trip to the dance in the 58-year history of the CNU program, and the Captains have posted an all-time record of 37-27 in tournament games, and a 13-4 NCAA mark at the Freeman Center. Three seasons ago, the Captains won their first NCAA National Championship by reeling off six straight victories in the tournament.

The Captains have a record of 21-5 and are ranked 15th in the nation in the latest weekly poll from D3hoops.com. CNU is 12-1 at home this year, and is led by junior Toa Hollenbeck, wo is averaging 19 points per game. The Captains are coming off an 85-55 loss to Mary Washington in the Coast-To-Coast Athletic Conference Championship game last Saturday in Santa Cruz, Ca. Stevens Institute of Technology, meanwhile, carries a record of 18-9 into Friday's game and won the automatic bid as Champion of the MAC Freedom Conference. The Ducks are led by junior Tommy Scholl, who is averaging 18.1 points per game. The Captains and Ducks will be meeting for the first time ever in men's basketball.

CNU has also never met the Presidents of Washington & Jefferson, who are 22-6 and Champions of the Presidents' Athletic Conference. Junior Nathan Plotner tops the W&J squad averaging 14.3 points per game. CNU has played Mount Union once, winning over the Purple Raiders, 74-72, in the National Championship game on March 18, 2023, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Mount Union is led by sophomore Chance Casenhiser, who is averaging 17.5 points per game, and are ranked 13th in the nation. The Purple Raiders are 23-3 heading into the regional after receiving an at-large bid to the tourney. Mount Union fell to Heidelberg in the semifinals of the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament last weekend.

All Christopher Newport games are broadcast live on the Home of the Captains, Xtra 99.1 FM and CNUsports.com. The pre-game show Friday will begin at 5:25 p.m.. A link is provided at the top of this story to access the live video broadcast. Links are also provided at the top of this story to access the live stats, as well as the complete CNU game notes package and a link to purchase tickets and also view the entire bracket.