NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Christopher Newport battled from behind for much of the night Wednesday, but the fourth-ranked Captains were able to take hold of the lead in the second half and hold off St. Mary's (MD.), 68-60. The victory was the 19th straight for CNU at the Freeman Center, and improved the Captains to 12-2 on the year and 6-1 in the Capital Athletic Conference.

Junior All-American Marcus Carter posted a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, and became the 31st player in CNU men's basketball history to go over the 1,000 point mark.

The Seahawks, now 7-7 overall and 2-5 in the CAC, enjoyed a strong opening half and held a 34-29 edge at the intermission, holding Christopher Newport to just 10 of 27 shooting (37 percent), and just one of 12 from beyond the three-point line.

"They hit some amazing shots in the first half," Head Coach John Krikorian said. "I thought our guys did a good job to withstand that and keep the game close enough so that we could creep back in."

The Captains rallied to out-score the Seahawks in the second stanza, 39-26, to post the eight-point triumph. CNU took the lead, 40-38, on a three-pointer from Justin Hampton with 15:18 to play in the second half, and never trailed again. The eight-point final margin was CNU's biggest lead of the night, while the Seahawks were up by as many as 12 in the opening half.

Senior Kevin Regimbal knocked down two key three-pointers in the second half and led CNU in scoring with 16 points. Freshman Savonte Chappell came off the bench and made all four of his shots, finishing the night with 11 points.

"Savonte and Luther Gibbs and Tyler Femi as well came in and gave us some really good minutes," Krikorian continued. "We didn't shoot real well, but I don't think it was because of bad shot selection, I think St. Mary's had a lot to do with it, I give them a lot of credit."

The Captains made 22 of 58 attempts for the night for 37.9 percent from the field. CNU was out-rebounded, 34-33, by the Seahawks. St. Mary's shot 46.4 percent for the night (20 of 43) and made 16 of 21 (76.2 percent) at the foul line.

Carter, who also posted four blocks and four steals, now has 1,004 points for his career at CNU. He joins teammate Tim Daly on the 1,000-point list. Daly, who was held to five points, now has 1,072 and went over the 1,000-point plateau on December 11th.

St. Mary's was led by 13 points from Lavonte Sanders, 12 from Matt Ayoub, and ten from Tre Mouton. 

In addition to winning 19 straight at home, the Captains are now 36-3 in their last 39 home games dating back to the start of the 2014-15 campaign. CNU did not lose a home game in the calendar year of 2016, and last dropped a home decision on December 30, 2015, to Scranton in the title game of the Captains Shootout.

CNU has now won five straight over St. Mary's and the Captains hold a 12-9 lead in the all-time series.

The Captains travel to Middletown, PA., Saturday to take on the Lions of Penn State-Harrisburg. Tipoff time is set for 3:00 p.m.