NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- After playing the longest game in CNU history, the Captains men's basketball team slipped past Wesley College (3-1) for the win, 81-79. Christopher Newport shook off a tough night shooting and outlasted the Wolverines to pull out a home win in the 2012 CNU/Point Plaza Invitational after four overtime periods, improving to 3-0 on the season.

Both teams struggled from the floor in the opening stanza, as CNU hit just 8-of-24 shots (33.3%) and the Wolverines knocked down just 8-of-29 (27.6%). The Captains managed to take a four-point lead at the break, 26-22, behind a strong effort from sophomore Nik Biberaj. The forward went 4-of-6 for eight points, while grabbing three rebounds. Sophomore Bryan Stith grabbed six rebounds for CNU in the opening half.

In the second, CNU got the lead to as many as nine points at 41-32 with 10:35 remaining on a pair of free-throws by sophomore Mike Cherry. Wesley, though, would close on a 19-10 run, including the final six points of regulation to tie the game at 51. Jacquard Hagan knocked down a three-pointer with 15 seconds remaining to tie things up and force the extra time.

Cherry got the Captains started in the first overtime, scoring six of CNU's eight points, and senior Jon Snead got going in the second OT to keep the team playing. He assisted on Connor Laframboise's go-ahead three and then knocked down a big three-pointer of his own for a 65-62 lead. After Wesley tied things up again, he drove to the basket for a pair and then pulled down a tough defensive rebound on the other end. Then, after the Wolverines again pulled ahead, 69-68, on a Quincy Pettiford layup, it was Snead that went up against the 6-8 center David Langan for contact and a trip to the free-throw line with just five seconds on the clock. Snead knocked down 1-of-2 to tie things up at 69 and for a third overtime.

Neither team could get anything going offensively in the third, as both combined for just 10 points in the frame and the score remained tied at 74. That would set up the historic fourth overtime period, heading ever closer to the three-hour mark since the opening tip. 

Unlike the first three extra periods, CNU gained the opening possession and would never look back. Redshirt freshman Justin Watson scored his only points of the night on a layup to go ahead, 76-74, and another layup and free-throw by Cherry put CNU up by four, 79-75.  Pettiford and Paul Meredith traded baskets in the next two possessions and then, after a missed shot by CNU, Langan dropped in a layup with less than a minute to go. Another missed jumper by the Captains gave Langan and the Wolverines one more shot to tie the game, but a turn-around jumper was short to seal the win for CNU.

From tip to final whistle, the game lasted 2 hours and 43 minutes and goes in the books as the longest game in CNU history. Prior to Saturday, the Captains had never even played into triple overtime. 

Cherry and Biberaj led the attack, as Cherry dropped 28 points and Biberaj added a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Stith finished with 10 rebounds and three blocked shots in reserve minutes, while Snead added 8 points, including six in the pivotal second overtime. 

Langan led the way for the Wolverines, scoring 16 points and adding 23 rebounds, a Point Plaza Invitational and new Freeman Center record. Four Wesley players were in double figures, led by Hagan with 19 on 6-of-19 shooting. 

The Captains were playing without the services of leading scorer Tra Benefield because of personal reasons. 

CNU will now advance to play in the Invitational Championship game Sunday at 4:00 pm against John Carroll University (2-1). The Blue Streaks advanced with a win over No. 12 Birmingham-Southern, 87-83, in the opening game. The Panthers will play Wesley at 2:00 pm Sunday in the Consolation Game.