FREDERICKSBURG, Va.- The CNU men's basketball team jumped to a 15-0 early lead Wednesday night at Mary Washington, led by 26 at the half, but then had to hold off an Eagles rally in the second half to win, 80-62. The triumph at Ron Rosner Arena improved the 13th-ranked Captains to 13-1 overall and 7-0 atop the Capital Athletic Conference.

Sophomore Marcus Carter led the way with 19 points, including three thunderous dunks, and senior Hunter Wetherell registered a career-high 18 points as the Captains won for the fourth straight time in 2016.

"We came to play tonight," Head Coach John Krikorian said. "That was an impressive start. We knew Mary Washington would give us a battle in the second half, and they sure made things interesting."

CNU's 15-0 run to start the opening half led to an eventual 20-2 advantage, and then a 46-20 lead at the intermission. The Eagles, now 7-7 overall and 3-4 in the CAC, returned from the break and looked like a different team, cutting the lead as close as eight, 57-49.

The Captains re-gained momentum and out-scored the Eagles, 23-13, down the stretch for the 18-point final verdict.

Christopher Newport was fueled by nine three-point field goals, as the Captains made nine of 21 from distance for the night.

Carter's night included nine of 13 shooting, and nine rebounds to go with his 19 points. Wetherell made seven of nine from the field en route to his new career-best of 18 points. Sophomore Aaron McFarland, the CAC's Player of the Week this week, finished with 14 points including four three-pointers. Junior Tim Daly posted the game's only double-double with 13 points and ten rebounds.

Mary Washington was led by 22 points from junior T.J. Jones, the CAC's leading scorer this season. Jones scored 19 of his 22 in the second half during UMW's furious comeback bid.

"Overall, we did a pretty good job defensively on Jones," Krikorian continued. "He's going to get his points, and he caught fire in the second half." Jones was just nine of 24 from the field for the evening.

The Captains were out-rebounded for only the second time this season as Mary Washington posted 41 boards to CNU's 40.

CNU now leads the all-time series with the Eagles, 22-6, and the squads will tangle again at the Freeman Center on February 10th.

The victory maintained CNU's two-game edge over Penn State-Harrisburg in the CAC standings. The Lions defeated Marymount Wednesday night, 82-75.

CNU returns home to host York College of Pennsylvania on Saturday. Tipoff time is set for 4:00 p.m. at the Freeman Center. The Spartans are 7-7 overall and 3-4 in the CAC after winning Wednesday night over St. Mary's, 84-78.