NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Powered by a pair of dominant performances, the 19th-ranked Christopher Newport Captains (8-1) won the 2012 Holiday Inn Captains Shootout with a 97-74 victory over Bridgewater College (7-4) Saturday night. For the 12th time in its 16-year history, CNU captured the title of their home tournament, behind strong efforts from MVP Tra Benefield and All-Tournament selection Nik Biberaj. 

Sophomore Mike Cherry joined his teammates on the All-Tournament team, along with Heidelberg's Nate Davis and Bridgewater's Ronnie Thomas. With the win, CNU improves to 28-4 all time in the Captains Shootout.

Benefield poured in a season-best 30 points on 12-of-16 shooting in the win, including a 20-point second half performance on an impressive 8-of-9 from the field. Biberaj obliterated his career-high in rebounding by grabbing 18 boards in the win, while rounding out a double-double with 14 points. 

The Captains wasted little time jumping all over Bridgewater after the opening tip. A free-throw shot from Tavis Stapleton gave the Eagles their only lead of the game, at 1-0, before CNU rushed out with eight straight to take an 8-1 edge. It wasn't until halfway through the first half, though, that the Captains would assert themselves with a barrage of long-range jumpers. With 10:02 on the clock, Cherry knocked down a trey that gave CNU their first double-digit lead, 25-14, followed by another at 8:29 and one from Biberaj at the 7:39 mark, giving the Captains a 17-point edge, 33-16. 

The lead would build to as many as 23 in the opening half, when Biberaj knocked down a layup with 2:04 remaining to pull ahead 45-22. At halftime, the Captains led 47-26 and Biberaj already had a double-double as the sophomore big man collected 14 rebounds and poured in 11 points to lead the way. Cherry had 11 and Benefield added 10 in the first half as CNU shot 44.1% from the field. 

Bridgewater would now bow out, however, opening the second half with a blazing surge that saw the 21-point halftime deficit drop to just seven three minutes into the half. A 16-2 run put the Eagles back within just three possessions at 49-42, led by Ronnie Thomas' eight points in the streak. 

Christopher Newport would recollect themselves, though, and turn to their junior leader Tra Benefield. The 6-2 small forward took control of the game, scoring 20 points over the next 10-minute stretch to put the Captains back up 24, 80-56. He knocked down a pair of three-pointers and slipped in several tough layups to give CNU control in the final ten minutes. The lead would not dip below 18 the rest of the way as the Captains cruised to the win.

Benefield earned Most Valuable Player honors with the performance, missing only one shot in the second half while adding a block and two rebounds. In the game, he finished with 30 points and six boards. He led an impressive team effort in the second, shooting 56.7% from the field on 17-of-30 shots. 

Thomas had 25 points for Bridgewater, leading the way for Eagles, while Tavis Stapleton added 11 despite being hindered by foul trouble for most of the game.

The Captains return to action this Wednesday, January 2nd as they play host to Ferrum College (5-5) at 7:30 pm in USA South Athletic Conference action.