Jason Aigner's 25 points Lead 17th-Ranked Christopher Newport over Mary Washington, 80-66

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Sophomore Jason Aigner connected for seven three-pointers Saturday, as 17th-ranked Christopher Newport recorded an 80-66 victory over Mary Washington at the Freeman Center. Aigner, who finished seven-for-16 from long range, matched his career-high with 25 points as CNU improved to 18-3 overall and 8-2 in the Capital Athletic Conference.

Junior Dalon McHugh registered a career-high with 15 points, with 13 coming in the second half as the Captains pulled away. Senior Tyler Femi, who suffered an ankle sprain on Wednesday, played 36 minutes and posted career highs in points, rebounds, and assists with 13 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. He also contributed three steals with just one turnover. Senior Marcus Carter returned to the lineup wearing a brace after missing two games with a bruised knee, and scored eight points and pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds in 27 minutes of action.

"It was a remarkable effort by Tyler and Marcus," Head Coach John Krikorian said. "They have been through so much physically, mentally, and emotionally over the last few days and they somehow found a way to give us so much today. Dalon's effort was tremendous as well in the second half, and he's been coming on more and more for us. Overall, just a fantastic win in an electric atmosphere."

A season-high crowd of 1,402 watched the Captains jump to a nine-point lead twice in the opening half. Mary Washington, now 14-7 and 6-4, bounced back to cut the lead to three at the half, 30-27. After the Eagles tied the game early in the second half at 35-35, CNU went on a 9-2 run and eventually stretched the lead to as many as 17 with 2:51 to play. Freshman Da'Shawn Cook led the Eagles with 15, while junior Mark Madison added 14 and freshman Greg Rowson posted a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.  

Christopher Newport is still unbeaten at home this year, improving to 11-0 at the Freeman Center. The Captains remain tied for the top spot in the Capital Athletic Conference, even with York College (Pa.) at 8-2. The Spartans beat Southern Virginia on Saturday, 70-61.

CNU's defense held Mary Washington to just 35 percent shooting for the day (23 of 65), and the Captains out-rebounded the Eagles, 40-31. The CNU triumph avenged a 69-61 loss to the Eagles in Fredericksburg on January 5th. The Captains now hold a 29-7 advantage in the all-time series with UMW.

Aigner's seven triples give him 79 for the season, the third-highest three-point total in a single season in program history. Former Captain Jermaine Woods connected for 113 three-pointers in 2002-2003 and 97 in 2001-2002. Carter's eight points pushed him over the 1,600-point mark for his career. He now has scored 1,603 career points in 113 games and is just five shy of Davon Barton for eighth place on CNU's all-time scoring list.

Seven new members of the Christopher Newport Athletic Hall of Fame were inducted at halftime Saturday. The 31st class of inductees included former men's basketball standout Conley Taylor, the fourth all-time leading scorer in CNU history.  Head Coach John Krikorian recorded his 199th victory leading the Captains, and is now 199-52 over his nine seasons for a winning percentage of .793. He will look for his 200th win at CNU when the Captains return to action on Wednesday night, hosting the Knights of Southern Virginia. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Freeman Center.