DOVER, Del. – Christopher Newport trailed at the half for just the third time this season and fell behind by as many as thirteen Saturday at Wentworth Gymnasium before storming back and claiming a 78-74 victory over Wesley. Led by Tim Daly's third 20-point performance this week, the Captains won their twentieth game and maintained their unblemished record in Capital Athletic Conference play, improving to 14-0.
 
The victory matches CNU's win total from last season, and was the third road win in a span of six days for the sixth-ranked Captains.
 
"Wesley is a really good basketball team," said head coach John Krikorian. "They actually outplayed us in many ways today, and we knew coming in that this would not be easy but for the second straight game, we did not come unglued in the second half, even when they pushed it to 13. We kept our composure and battled."
 
The opening half was a back-and-forth affair which saw both teams lead by as many as five points at various times. Wesley shot 56% from the field and took a four-point lead to the locker room at the half, 40-36.
 
The Captains saw eight players score during the opening frame led by Daly's eight points. Kirkorian went to the bench early and received quality contributions during the first half. Freshman guard Tyler Femi sparked the Captains when he entered less than five minutes into the game. With seven points, including four of the Captains last six, Femi and Daly combined to lead a cadre of Captains who accounted for 24 points off the bench in the first twenty minutes.
 
The second stanza started quickly with both teams matching buckets and advancing the four-point margin to 48-44 on yet another Daly basket in the paint with fifteen to play. Over the next six minutes, Wesley took advantage of the weary Captains and attacked the basket, driving the Wolverine lead to 60-47.
 
With an undefeated conference record on the line in a hostile gym, Krikorian turned to familiar faces: Daly and sophomore Marcus Carter. Daly left a nifty assist – one of his team high three - for a streaking Carter who converted the easy layup. After a missed basket at the other end, Daly found himself at the foul line where he connected on both free throws to trim the deficit to single digits.
 
"Tim has helped carried us this week with three spectacular games," said Krikorian. "He not only made big shots but also led us in assists today. He does so many things well, he may even drive the team bus home tonight."
 
Junior, Rayshard Brown took his turn and after knocking down a pair of free throws, found an open lane to the basket on the next possession and cut the Wesley lead to 62-55. The Captains, yet again, looked to Daly.
 
A layup and a pair of free throws by the junior from Richmond made it a one-possession game with six minutes to play.
 
But Wesley wouldn't quit.
 
Wayne Lennon and JW Lawson knocked down shots to put the Captains back on the ropes and push the lead back to seven at 71-64.
 
CNU responded with a step-back three from Aaron McFarland when he pulled back on the left wing and went over top of Wesley's senior guard Anthony Bowers. Limited to just eight points on three of six shooting by Bowers' pestering defense, McFarland picked a critical moment to make a statement shot.
 
Trailing 71-67, Carter made his way to the line where he made both attempts. After a Bowers free throw on the other end, Daly collected a McFarland miss and was fouled making a bucket for his third straight 20-point performance. Daly found himself in a familiar place: at the free throw line with a chance to tie a critical road game late in the proceedings. Daly converted the three-point play and completed the CNU comeback at 72-72.
 
With the momentum firmly in hand, Carter and Kevin Regimbal added baskets in the final minute to seal the comeback win and drop Wesley to 7-14 overall, 5-9 in the CAC.
 
Led by Daly's 21 points, Carter contributed 13 and collected a team-high five rebounds while Regimbal also made it to double-figures with 12 points.
 
The Captains complete their week with three straight road wins and managed to clinch the CAC regular season championship and second consecutive 20-win season along the way. The Captains improved their record away from the Freeman Center to 11-0.
 
CNU returns to action Wednesday night when they host Mary Washington at 7:30 p.m. in the Freeman Center. The Captains will play three of their final four regular-season games at home and look to build on their eleven game win streak.