DANVILLE, Va. - Playing for the first time ever as the top-ranked team in the nation, Christopher Newport University recorded a 71-54 victory Saturday at Averett University. The win pushed the Captains to 8-0 to start the season, the first time they've started 8-0 since the 2015-16 campaign.

Junior All-American Jahn Hines led the way for CNU with 24 points and nine rebounds, and junior Trey Barber posted his second straight double-double with 15 points and ten rebounds.

Christopher Newport took the lead for the first time in the opening half, 10-9, and never trailed again through the battle of former conference mates. The Captains opened a 12-point edge at the half, 29-17, and allowed the Cougars to get no closer than nine through the second stanza. The final margin of 17 marked the largest lead of the game for CNU.

"Averett is a really talented team, and one of the best defensive squads we will face, so to score 71 is a big deal," Head Coach John Krikorian said following the victory. "We had some guys really step up in the second half and that allowed us to create some separation. We're a work in progress, it's still very early and I don't think we've even scratched the surface on how good we can be."

Hines made ten of 18 shots for the day, including five of eight during the second half. He also pulled down seven of his nine rebounds after the intermission, and registered 24 points for the second straight game. 

Senior Rodney Graves (11) and sophomore Ty Henderson (10) also reached double digits in scoring for the Captains, with Henderson also securing eight rebounds. The Captains out-rebounded the Cougars for the day, 40-36, and held AU to just 20 of 61 shooting (32.8 percent). Christopher Newport made 26 of 56 from the field (46.4 percent), including 17 of 27 (63 percent) in the second half. The Captains also knocked down 15 of 23 free throws for 62.1 percent.

Averett, now 5-3, was led by 16 points from junior Jordan Lewis. The game marked the 90th all-time meeting of the schools, and the Captains now hold a 73-17 lead over the Cougars. CNU has won nine straight in the series, which dates back to 1976. The Captains and Cougars were longtime conference members of the Dixie and USA South Athletic Conferences

Christopher Newport now has an eight-day break for final exams. The Captains return to the hardwood on Sunday, December 11th, hosting Marymount University at the Freeman Center in a 4:00 p.m. tip-off.

"It's been a very busy time over the last week with final projects and papers and preparation for exams," Krikorian continued. "It will be good to get off the floor for a few days this week, get some rest, and then be able to get ready for a stretch of three games in five days."