NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Christopher Newport returned from holiday break and cruised to a 96-43 triumph Wednesday night over Pitt-Greensburg at the Freeman Center. The Captains, now 7-2 and ranked ninth in the nation, scored the first 11 points of the game and never looked back.

"We really wanted to get back on the court and showed a lot of energy tonight," Head Coach John Krikorian said. "This is the kind of game we needed after the long break."

The wire-to-wire victory came in the opening round of the Crowne Plaza Captains Shootout, and was CNU's first since losing at Salisbury on December 17th. The Sea Gulls beat the Captains, 59-58, on a last-second halfcourt three-pointer.

Junior All-American Marcus Carter led the way, scoring the first nine points of the game, and finishing with 20 for the night. Senior Kevin Regimbal (12), and freshmen Luther Gibbs (10) and Cutch Ellis (10) were also in double figures.

Christopher Newport led at the half, 47-22, and went up by as many as 55 in the second stanza. 

"The good news is there's still plenty of room for improvement," Krikorian continued. "We need to be more efficient on offense, and we only shot 41 percent from the field tonight. Our defense has been very solid, and I'm always happy to see us with 29 assists and only nine turnovers."

CNU out-rebounded UPG, 57-35, and the Captains were led on the boards by sophomore Spencer Marin's eight rebounds.

The Captains knocked down 12 three-pointers in the victory, with Carter making four of eight from long range. Carter's 20-point effort leaves him just 45 points from 1,000 for his career.

Pitt-Greensburg fell to 0-11 with the loss, and the Bobcats were led by freshman Mason Eddinger's eight points, all in the second half.

Christopher Newport is now 33-3 at the Freeman Center over the last 36 home games dating back to the 2014-2015 season. CNU is now 3-0 all-time vs. Pitt-Greensburg.

The Captains will play SUNY-Old Westbury for the title of the two-day tournament on Thursday at 6:00 p.m.at the Freeman Center. SUNY-Old Westbury defeated William Peace, 76-73, in the opening game of the Shootout. The Panthers are 4-5 on the season and have won their last four games.