NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - The Division III NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament opened up Friday, and the Captains of Christopher Newport recorded an 85-59 victory over Albertus Magnus at the Freeman Center. The triumph was CNU's tenth straight, and the Captains are now 17-0 at home this season.

Christopher Newport will play Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. against Alfred University in the second round at the Freeman Center. The Saxons downed Ramapo in the first game Friday night, 92-76.

Senior Marcus Carter led the way for the Captains with 15 points and ten rebounds, his third double-double of the season. CNU opened a 23-point advantage in the first half, and led at the break, 47-28. The Captains stretched the lead to as many as 30 in the second half en route to the 26-point final tally.

"Albertus Magnus has a lot of good young players and they really gave us trouble early," Head Coach John Krikorian said. "Once we got it going, I think we frustrated them and started rolling. Obviously, it's a good win and now it's on to the next level."

CNU's defense, fourth in the nation in field goal percentage and tenth in opponent scoring, held the Falcons to just 35 percent shooting (21 of 60) and forced 18 Albertus Magnus turnovers. The Captains scored 23 points off turnovers, and made 27 of 62 shots from the field (43.5 percent) and 23 of 29 at the foul line (79.3 percent). 

Carter, a first team All-Conference selection in the Capital Athletic Conference, moved into sixth place on CNU's all-time scoring list on Friday. His 15 points give him 1,738 in his 121-game career, and he is now 56 points shy of Tre Benefield for fifth place on the list.

Sophomore Jason Aigner (14), and juniors Dalon McHugh (12) and Cutch Ellis (12) also finished in double digits. Albertus Magnus was led by freshman Terry Dawkins' 19 points. The Falcons finish the season with a 20-8 mark. Friday's meeting with Albertus Magnus was the first ever for the Captains, and Saturday's battle with Alfred will also be the first.

"We need to get some rest tonight and be ready tomorrow," Krikorian said. "Alfred really is on a great run and will pose plenty of problems for us."

Alfred senior Dom LeMorta scored a Freeman Center record 45 points in the Saxons victory over Ramapo in the opening game Friday night. Alfred is now 24-4 and riding a 14-game winning streak heading into its second round battle with the Captains. 

Christopher Newport is making its 23rd appearance in the NCAA Tournament, and the fourth straight. The win Friday night was the 19th in NCAA play all-time, and the Captains are now 19-23 all-time in the tournament.

Tickets for Saturday's game will be available at the Freeman Center Ticket Office. The game will be streamed live on CNUsports.com/watch with live stats also available. The action will also be broadcast on the Christopher Newport/Pepsi Radio Network (Xtra 99.1 FM) with the pre-game show beginning at 6:40 p.m.