NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Christopher Newport University improved to 6-0 Saturday afternoon, coasting to an 87-52 triumph over Sarah Lawrence College (NY) at the Freeman Center. The victory in the opening round of the Holiday Inn Invitational marked the 1,000th all-time win for the CNU program, which began in the 1967-68 season.

The Captains, ranked fourth in the nation in pre-season, led by a dozen at the half, 38-26, and then pulled away to the 35-point final verdict through the second half. Senior Ian Anderson filled up the stat sheet with 15 points, seven rebounds, four blocked shots, three steals and three assists in just 20 minutes of playing time.

"I think overall our guys really competed at a high level and defended very well," Head Coach John Krikorian said. "We had 19 assists and only five turnovers, so we shared the ball really well. I thought we were a bit sluggish in the first half, but we were able to establish a number of key points we were trying to accomplish in the second half."

CNU out-scored the Gryphens in the second stanza, 49-26, and the Captains made 22 of 37 shots (59.5 percent) after halftime. The effort marked the second straight game the Captains have not trailed their opponent at any point, after also leading wire-to-wire Tuesday night in an 82-59 victory over Methodist. 

Junior Trey Barber added 12 points, six rebounds, and three blocks in just 14 minutes of action, and fifth-year senior Matt Brodie reached double digits with 11 points and also pulled down five rebounds. Christopher Newport out-rebounded Sarah Lawrence for the day, 47-26, including a 23-9 advantage on the offensive glass. 

"I'm so proud to be a part of this remarkable college basketball program," Krikorian continued. "In 55 seasons to win 1,000 games and have a winning percentage of 68 percent is truly special. To be able to coach here, and to be only the fourth head coach after Bev Vaughan, Glenn Russell, and C.J. Woollum, is an honor and a privilege."

The Captains will now play longtime rival and league-mate North Carolina Wesleyan University on Sunday in the Championship game of the two-day tourney. The Battling Bishops (3-2) held off Eastern University (6-1) in the first game of the tournament Saturday, 69-66. CNU and North Carolina Wesleyan have met 107 times in the past, with the Captains holding a 68-39 advantage. The schools haven't played since 2013, CNU's final season in the USA South Athletic Conference, when the Captains beat the Bishops in the conference post-season tournament in Fayetteville, N.C.

Eastern and Sarah Lawrence (1-4) will play in the third-place game Sunday beginning at 12 noon at the Freeman Center. Sunday's schedule also includes a CNU women's game vs. Lynchburg at 2 p.m.