NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Christopher Newport broke open a 21-19 game with a 34-10 run and never looked back, handing Randolph-Macon a 70-47 setback in the season opener for both schools Tuesday night at the Freeman Center. The Captains, ranked second in the country in the pre-season poll from D3hoops.com, began the 50th season of CNU men's basketball and improved to 39-11 in season-opening games.

"Overall, I thought we played hard and defended well," Head Coach John Krikorian said. "We were able to grow the lead and get everybody in the game, so there were some really good signs."

The Captains were led by junior All-American Marcus Carter, who scored 15 points. Junior Aaron McFarland added 14 points and was the only other CNU player in double figures. Seniors Tim Dalyand Kevin Regimbal added eight points each, and both pulled down seven rebounds to top the squad. CNU out-rebounded Randolph-Macon for the night, 42-30.

CNU held a 36-23 lead at the half and out-scored the Yellow Jackets in the second stanza, 34-24. The Captains stingy defense held Randolph-Macon to just 33 percent shooting for the night (17 of 51), and the Yellow Jackets made just six of 21 three-point attempts (28.6 percent).

The Captains, who started last season 9-0, made 28 of 59 shots (47.5 percent), and six of 16 (37.5 percent) from beyond the three-point line.

All 16 Christopher Newport players dressed saw action, including five freshmen suiting up for the first time. Cutch Ellis led the freshman production with six points.

Randolph-Macon, now 0-1, was led by Montese Adams, who scored 11 points. 

The Captains, coming off a 30-2 season and the program's first Final Four last season, will next see action on Friday night in Owings Mills, MD., against Wisconsin-Stevens Point. The 8:00 p.m. start is part of the Hoopsville Classic at Stevenson University. It will be the first-ever meeting of the schools.

CNU then returns to action Saturday night in the classic, also at 8:00 p.m., against Marietta.