NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Christopher Newport University used a balanced attack Thursday to push past Cabrini University, 76-55, in the opening round of the Holiday Inn Captains Classic. The victory at the Freeman Center improved CNU's record to 12-2 for the season, while the Cavaliers fell to 4-7.

Four Captains reached double figures in scoring, led by senior Rodney Graves' 13 points. Graves registered ten of his 13 in the second half, as Christopher Newport stretched a six-point halftime lead (32-26) to as many as 23 in the second stanza en route to the 21-point triumph.

Fifth-year senior Matthew Brodie scored 12 points while junior Jahn Hines tallied 11, and also registered eight assists and seven rebounds for the Captains. Junior Trey Barber returned after missing five games with a calf injury, and posted 12 points and seven rebounds in 15 minutes of action.

"We got some good looks in the first half, but the shots just didn't fall," Head Coach John Krikorian said. "I thought we got it going in the second half and showed some really good energy. Coming off a week break, you expect it might take a bit to get back into rhythm."

The Captains out-rebounded the Cavaliers, 58-31, with senior Jake Latta pulling down nine boards.  Cabrini was led by 21 points from sophomore Aquil Stewart.

Christopher Newport returns to the Freeman Center floor on Friday afternoon, taking on Wilmington (OH) College in the second round of the Captains Shootout. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. Wilmington is 4-6 after beating Averett University Thursday, 65-61, in the first game of the Shootout. The Quakers and Captains have met just once before, in November of  2017, and CNU recorded an 82-64 victory in an early-season tournament in Frederick, Md. 

Averett, now 6-6, and Cabrini will play at 3:00 p.m. Friday as the Shootout continues. The CNU women will open the triple-header with a 1:00 p.m. start vs. Rowan Friday at the Freeman Center.