FAYETTEVILLE, NC- Christopher Newport opened the 2013 USA South Tournament Thursday afternoon with a 74-58 win over Averett. The quarter-final victory at Crown Center Arena propels the Captains to the semi-final round, and a Friday night meeting with either Methodist or North Carolina Wesleyan at 7 p.m.

Junior Tra Benefield and sophomore Nik Biberaj ignited the CNU effort in the second half, as the Captains stretched an eight-point halftime lead to as many as 22 in the second stanza.

"It's didn't feel that easy, but we got the job done," Head Coach John Krikorian said following the win. "We won the rebounding battle (42-37) and dished out 21 assists. Overall, we played pretty well."

Benefield led the way with 20 points, 18 coming in the second half. Biberaj, who posted his ninth double-double of the year, finished with 18 points and 15 rebounds. Biberaj scored 11 in the second half and also pulled down eight of his rebounds after halftime.

The triumph was the third this season over Averett in as many meetings. The Cougars, who were led by senior Justin Pierce's 18 points, finish the season with a 9-17 record.

The Captains, now 19-5, also got a double-digit performance off the bench from freshman Connor Laframboise, who matched his career high with 13 points and also pulled down nine rebounds.

Senior Paul Meredith, who started his fourth straight game for Christopher Newport, posted a season-high 10 assists. CNU has won all four games since Meredith was inserted into the starting five.

"Paul has really made a difference for us," Krikorian continued. "As a senior, he is a true point guard and really distributes the ball well."

The Captains shot 49 percent from the floor on 29 of 59 attempts for the day. CNU's defense held Averett to just 19 of 60 shooting, for 32 percent.

Benefield's 20-point effort moves him into 14th on the CNU all-time scoring list. He is just 10 points shy of Bobby Arnette for 13th place on the all-time list.

CNU plays in the first semi-final Friday night at 7 p.m. at the Crown Center Arena, against either Methodist or North Carolina Wesleyan.