FERRUM, Va. -- The Christopher Newport men's basketball team earned its second straight USA South Athletic Conference Regular Season Championship on Sunday as it flew past Ferrum College (13-10, 10-4) in the title game, 76-52. The Captains were playing the Panthers in a head-to-head battle for the league title and saw all five starters finish in double figure scoring en route to the win. CNU improves to 18-5 overall, with an 11-3 mark against league opponents.

The Captains earned the top seed in next week's USA South Conference Tournament being held at the Crown Center Arena in Fayetteville, N.C. Christopher Newport will take on eighth-seeded Averett University, who they just defeated on Saturday by the final score of 77-56. The two teams will play in the opening round on Thursday, Feb. 21 at 2:00 pm. 

CNU shot nearly 60% from the floor in the first half, opening up a 20-point halftime lead, 39-19. The Captains spread the ball around with six players in the scoring column, but were led by 10 points, five rebounds and five assists from Nik Biberaj in the opening stanza. On the other end of the floor, the Captains defense was smothering, holding the home team to just seven made field goals in the first 20 minutes, and just 28% shooting. 

In the second half, the Captains showcased their well-rounded attack, hitting 48% from the floor to finish at 53.8% in the game (28-52). CNU worked good shots out of the system, and capitalized at the free-throw line where they would knock down 16 of 20 attempts. 

Rookie Evan Thorpe had a team-high 15 points, tied with Biberaj, after going 7-of-8 from the free-throw line and 4-of-9 from the field. Biberaj would add nine rebounds and six assists to his 15-point performance, while Mike Cherry (14 pts), Paul Meredith (11 pts) and Tra Benefield (10 pts) rounded out the starting group. 

Ferrum got 14 points apiece from JD Wallace and Jamal Pullen off the bench, while Wallace added five rebounds. Shon Goode had a team-high nine boards, with six points.

The 2012-13 USA South Conference Tournament will be played Feb. 21-23, with opening round games on Thursday followed by semifinal Friday and championship game on Saturday. The Captains will take on Averett at 2:00 pm in the tournament's first game.