NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - No. 19 Christopher Newport defeated Bridgewater 97-74 Saturday evening to claim the title at the Holiday Inn Captains Shootout.

The Eagles scored first on a free throw by Tavis Stapleton, but the Captains reeled off the next eight points and never trailed.

Bridgewater kept the margin under double digits until a 5-0 run by CNU pushed the Captains lead to 30-16 with 8:08 left in the first half. The Captains continued to build on the lead and were on top 47-26 at the break.

The Eagles hit CNU with a quick 16-2 run to start the second half to get back into contention.

Ed Reddick scored on a layup and Ronnie Thomas scored the next seven points to trim the deficit to 47-35. Bridgewater continued to peck away at the CNU lead and when Aaron Adams knocked down a jumper, the margin was down to seven points, 49-42, with 17:07 left to play.

A 3-pointer by CNU's Tra Benefield pushed the margin back to double figures at 53-42 and the Eagles would get no closer the rest of the way.

Benefield, the tournament's MVP, led the Captains with 30 points, 20 of those coming in the second half. Mike Cherry and Nik Biberaj each scored 14 points for the Captains. Biberaj also pulled down 18 rebounds, leading CNU to a 43-35 advantage on the boards.

The Eagles, now 7-4, were led by Thomas with 25 points. Stapleton was the only other BC player in double figures as he finished with 11 points. Thomas was named to the all-tournament team.