NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Sophomore Trey Barber scored 19 points, pulled down eight rebounds, and blocked three shots as Christopher Newport University defeated Averett University, 76-54, Saturday afternoon at the Freeman Center. The Captains, ranked 17th in the country this week, grabbed a 7-6 lead early in the first half, and never trailed again as CNU improved to 6-2 on the season.

Christopher Newport held an 11-point lead at the break, 33-22, and then out-scored the Cougars by 11 in the second half, 43-32, to coast to the 22-point triumph. Sophomore Jahn Hines (13 points), and fifth-year senior Jason Aigner (ten points) also reached double figures for the Captains.

Averett, now 1-5, held a 29-19 edge in rebounds in the opening half, before the Captains commanded the boards in the second half, 28-15, for a 47-44 edge for the game. Barber and Hines each pulled down eight boards for the Captains to lead the way. The Cougars were led by Corey Baldwin's 16 points, and Bryson McLaughlin registered a double-double with 11 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.

"We did a good job taking care of the basketball," Head Coach John Krikorian said after his team turned the ball over just eight times while forcing 13 Averett miscues. "They're is a really athletic team and we knew we were going to have to work hard to hold them off. Our rebounding was much better in the second half and that enhanced our ability to build the lead. Our guys in the interior, especially in the second half, really dominated the paint."

The Captains out-scored the Cougars in the paint, 38-14, and Christopher Newport's defense held the Cougars to just 31 percent shooting for the game (20 of 64), while the Captains connected on 28 of 64 shots (44 percent). 

Sophomore Ian Anderson posted eight points, six rebounds, six assists, and a blocked shot in the victory, and joined Barber with thunderous second-half dunks. Freshman Ty Henderson added seven points, six rebounds, five assists, and a steal for the Captains. 

The meeting was the 89th all-time of the programs, formerly both members of the Dixie and USA South Athletic Conferences. CNU now leads the all-time series, 72-17, and has won eight straight. It was the first meeting since the schools met in the 2013 USA South Tournament in Fayetteville, N.C.

Aigner's ten points give him 1,188 in 99 career games in a CNU uniform. He is just 13 points shy of Terry Gray for 21st on the all-time scoring list. 

Saturday's game was the 300th for Krikorian on the CNU sideline since taking over the program 11 years ago. He now has a record of 239-61 leading the Captains for a .797 winning percentage. Overall, including four years at the Merchant Marine Academy, Krikorian has a mark of 304-103 (.747).

Christopher Newport now has an eight-day break for final exams, and the Captains will return to the court next Sunday, December 12th. CNU will host the University of Lynchburg in a 4:00 p.m. start at the Freeman Center. The Hornets defeated CNU in Lynchburg on November 21st, 88-63, the last loss for the Captains prior to their current three-game winning streak.