NEWPORT NEWS, Va.- The lead changed hands 13 times...the score was tied nine times...and when the final horn sounded at the Freeman Center Saturday night, the fourth-ranked Captains of Christopher Newport were on the winning side of a 67-64 final verdict over NYU. The triumph was the 19th straight for CNU, and for the sixth time in the 49-year history of the men's basketball program, the Captains will advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

CNU, now 28-1, will play Keene State of New Hampshire in the Sweet 16 at a time and location to be determined by the NCAA.

"That was just an epic battle," Head Coach John Krikorian said. "This team just keeps working and fighting. I give NYU so much credit, they're a great team with a fantastic coach and this is what you'd expect when two teams go head-to-head in such an important game."

The Captains were carried to victory by Capital Athletic Conference Player of the Year Marcus Carter, who scored 17 of his 21 points in the second half. Carter also recorded 12 rebounds for his second straight double-double and seventh of the season.

CNU got off to a rocky start, as the Violets scored the first eight points of the game. The Captains eventually trailed 18-9 before mounting a 14-2 run to take the lead for the first time. Christopher Newport sophomore Aaron McFarland took control in the first half, scoring 14 of his 19 points, and led the Captains to a 33-29 advantage at the intermission.

The second half proved to be a classic back-and-forth affair that went to the wire. The Captains looked to Carter time and time again, and the sophomore from Williamsburg continued to deliver...scoring six field goals in the second half, one a three-pointer, and also going four for six at the foul line.

Carter's free throw with 2:51 remaining broke a 62-62 tie and gave the Captains a lead they would not relinquish. Carter scored eight of CNU's final ten points, with junior Tim Daly making two free throws with 1.3 seconds left to give the Captains the 67-64 win.

NYU did not make a field goal in the final 3:46, and missed its last five shot attempts, inclduing two three pointers in the final eight seconds. The Violets end the season with a 21-6 record, and were led by senior forward Evan Kupferberg's 25 points. Senior center Costis Gontikas posted 17 points and 13 rebounds and senior forward Patrick Burns recorded 11 points and ten rebounds.

The Captains advanced despite shooting just 35 percent from the field (22 of 63) and being out-rebounded by the Violets, 44-40. CNU committed just six turnovers, blocked nine shots, and knocked down six three-pointers while NYU was 0-4 from beyond the arc.

The trip to the Sweet 16 will be the first for Krikorian and the first for CNU since the 2000-2001 season, when the Captains beat St. John's of Minnesota before losing to William Paterson in overtime in the Elite 8. The Captains are now 13-20 all-time in NCAA play.

CNU will be playing a Keene State squad that is 20-10 on the season and has won seven straight games, including a 74-72 victory over Middlebury Saturday night to advance to the Sweet 16.The Captains have never played the Owls in men's basketball history.

The Sweet 16 battle will be played on Friday, March 11th, at a site and time to be determined.