NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Will Clarkson helped spark a big first half run in his final regular season home game, and notched a season-high 10 points helping lead the Captains (16-5, 9-3) past N.C. Wesleyan, 93-67. Clarkson was one of five CNU players in double figures, the first time in 2012-13 the Captains have accomplished the feat. 

It was Senior Night in the Freeman Center, honoring four CNU players in their final home regular season game. Paul Meredith, Jon Snead, Zach Youngman and Clarkson were all honored in a special pre-game ceremony. All four started in the game and Clarkson helped get CNU out to an early lead. He knocked down both of his first two attempts from long range, picking up six quick points. 

The opening stretch was hotly contested; Devontae Williams hit a fast-break layup for the Bishops to tie things up at 10 five minutes into the game and then both teams traded small runs for a 23-23 score halfway through the first 20 minutes.

After a speedy, but sloppy exchange where both teams turned the ball over twice, it was CNU that took advantage with an open look for three by Tra Benefield. Clarkson got a defensive rebound on the other end and then stuck back his own shot to give CNU a five-point edge, 28-23. Another fast-break layup by Mike Cherry and the lead was nine, forcing a N.C. Wesleyan timeout.

Christopher Newport would go on to lead by as many as 14 in the opening stanza, and took a 12-point, 50-38 lead into the locker room. Already three Captains were in double figures, led by the hot outside shooting of Mike Cherry.  The sophomore sharpshooter hit four of six three-point attempts, finishing with 18 points in the first half. Benefield and Nik Biberaj added 10 points each, and the sophomore big man was already just two rebounds shy of a double-double.

A suffocating 16-4 run to open the second half would give the Captains a substantial 26-point lead with 13:24 remaining in the game. It was the CNU defense that led the way, forcing the Bishops into three turnovers and just 1-for-6 from the field to start the half. 

Senior Jon Snead would build the lead to as many as 33, with 6:37 remaining, when he knocked down a pair of free-throws. CNU would go on to win, 93-67. It was the fourth time this season the Captains would notch 90+ points in a game, going 3-1 in those contests.

It was also the first time this season the Captains had five different players in double figure scoring. The last time that happened was in the 2012 USA South Conference Tournament against Methodist. Tonight, Cherry's 24 points led the way, followed by 17 from Benefield, 16 from Biberaj, 13 by Evan Thorpe and 10 by Clarkson. Biberaj had a stellar overall performance, adding 12 rebounds, five assists, two blocks and five steals. 

N.C. Wesleyan also had three players finish in double figures, but held the nation's leading scorer, Brandon Givens to just 15 points. He came into the game averaging nearly 28 points per game and had scored 50 against the Captains in the other regular season matchup. Cornelius Snow (13 pts) and Chris Ford (10 pts) rounded out the double figure scoring for the Bishops.

CNU will now hit the road for its final two contests, taking on Averett University and Ferrum College in the final weekend. Conference tournament seeding is at stake as the Captains face the Cougars on Saturday, Feb. 16, at 2:00 pm, followed by a matchup with the Panthers on Sunday, Feb. 17, at 4:00 pm.