NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Christopher Newport University suffered a 79-62 setback Thursday to UC Santa Cruz at the Freeman Center, ending a four-game CNU winning streak. The Banana Slugs connected on 11 three-pointers and held the Captains to just 30 percent shooting for the day.

CNU held a 21-14 first half lead before the Slugs went on a 19-9 run to hold a 33-30 advantage at the intermission. The first half featured five lead changes, but the Slugs late first half momentum carried over after the beak. UC Santa Cruz went on a 20-3 run to open the second half, eventually widening its lead to as many as 25. The Captains, now 16-5, battled back but could get no closer than 13 down the stretch.

Freshman Toa Hollenbeck led the Captains for the second straight game with 13 points off the bench. Senior Jahn Hines scored 11 points, and was the only other CNU player in double figures. The Captains made just 16 of 53 shots (30.2 percent), and knocked down just one three-pointer on ten attempts.

UC Santa Cruz, now 9-10, was led by junior Zino Okah, who posted a double-double with 26 points and ten rebounds. Two other Banana Slugs reached double digits as fifth-year senior Treyson Keating netted 13, with 11 coming in the second half, and senior Ian McCloskey added 11 points. The Banana Slugs out-rebounded the Captains, 40-39, and made 23 of 51 total shots (45.1 percent). They converted at a much higher percentage from long range, making 11 of 21 three-point attempts (52.4 percent).

The win was the first in the all-time series for the Slugs following five straight Christopher Newport victories to open the series. CNU is now 70-5 (.933) at the Freeman Center since the start of the 2018-19 season. The Banana Slugs joined Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Hampden-Sydney, York College (Pa.), and Virginia Wesleyan as the only schools to record victories over CNU on its home floor during that span.

Jahn Hines' 11-point performance gives him 1,360 career points, and moved him past Ted Berry and Matt Bryant into 13th place on the CNU all-time scoring list. He is now 119 points behind Mike Cherry for 12th place on the list.

Christopher Newport, ranked 17th in the nation this week, returns to action on Monday night, hosting the Falcons of Pfeiffer University at the Freeman Center. Tip off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Pfeiffer lost on Thursday at Young Harris, 96-67, and is now 6-8 for the year. The Falcons play on Saturday at home vs. William Peace before traveling to the Freeman Center Monday night.