NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - For the second straight night, Christopher Newport cruised to victory in the Crowne Plaza Captains Shootout. CNU, ranked ninth in the nation, downed SUNY-Old Westbury in the championship game of the holiday tournament Thursday night at the Freeman Center, 86-41.

The Captains improved to 8-2 as they captured their 14th Shootout title in 20 tries. CNU broke open a 2-2 game with a ten point run, led at the half, 40-13, and then coasted to the 45-point triumph.

"Our defense has been there for us all year, but I think we really came a long way the last two nights on the offensive end," Head Coach John Krikorian said. "Tonight we made our shots and showed what we're capable of."

Christopher Newport did not have a player see more than 23 minutes of action, and the Captains were led in scoring by senior Tim Daly and freshman Luther Gibbs, who both contributed 11 points. Daly and Gibbs were both selected to the all-tournament squad. Senior Justin Hampton also reached double digits with ten points.

Junior All-American Marcus Carter was named MVP of the tournament, scoring 28 points in CNU's two victories. Carter scored 20 in CNU's win over Pitt-Greensburg on Wednesday, and added eight points and seven rebounds in just 16 minutes of playing time in the title game.

The triumph for the Captains was the 17th straight at the Freeman Center, dating back to last year's title game in the Captains Shootout, a 65-58 loss to Scranton. Thursday's victory, the last game in the calendar year, gave CNU a 17-0 record at home in 2016. Christopher Newport is now 34-3 (.919) over the last 37 home games dating back to the 2014-2015 season.

The Captains made 29 of 57 shots (.509) and also knocked down 13 of 24 (.542) from beyond the arc. CNU out-rebounded the Panthers, 54-31, as Daly posted a team-high eight boards to go with his 11 points.

CNU's stifling defense held Old Westbury to just 25 percent shooting for the night (15 of 61). The Captains also allowed just ten points to senior Jamail Stanley, who came into the game averaging 23.5 points per game.

The meeting was just the second ever of the two schools. CNU beat SUNY-Old Wesbury, 96-86, on December 30, 2008, in the Cactus Jam Tournament in Phoenix, AZ. The Panthers are now 4-6 for the season, and had a four-game winning streak snapped.

Thursday's action at the Freeman Center began with the third-place game, which saw William Peace win, 86-66, over Pitt-Greensburg.

CNU will now play its final non-conference game of the season on New Year's Day Sunday, as the Captains host rival Virginia Wesleyan at the Freeman Center. Tipoff time is set for 4:00 p.m.