North Tidewater News

Seventh-Ranked Captains Open Jay Bilas Classic in Charlotte With 82-74 Victory over Elmhurst

Christopher Newport University put an end to a two-game losing streak Tuesday night, beating Elmhurst University (IL), 82-74, in the opening game of the Jay Bilas Classic at Queens University of Charlotte. Junior guard Jahn Hines recorded 19 points to lead four CNU scorers in double figures in the first meeting ever with the Blue Jays. Hines also posted a team-high eight rebounds as the Captains improved to 10-2 on the season.

"I was pleased with our effort tonight and obviously the outcome," Head Coach John Krikorian said. "Elmhurst is a quality program and to win a game like this shows a lot about our team. It wasn't pretty but we hit some big shots down the stretch and made good decisions at key points."

Elmhurst, now 7-4, got off to a 2-0 lead to start the game. Sophomore Ty Henderson drained a three-pointer to give the Captains a 3-2 lead, and Christopher Newport would not trail again all night. The Captains used a 9-0 run to go ahead 9-2, and later in the first half ran off ten straight points to jump to a 19-4 advantage. After leading at the half, 42-29, CNU saw the lead cut down to four, 61-57, with 4:42 to play. The Captains would go on to out-score the Blue Jays, 21-17, down the stretch to record the eight-point triumph.

Henderson ended up with 15 points, and drained five of six free throws in the final minutes to help seal the win. Senior Rodney Graves came off the bench to score 13 points, and fifth-year senior Matthew Brodie also reached double digits with 12 points, ten coming after halftime. 

Senior Jonathan Zapinski led the Blue Jays with 16 points and 17 rebounds. Junior John Ittounas scored 19 points for the Jays, going 10-of-11 at the foul stripe.

CNU made 31 of 66 shots (47 percent) for the night, and knocked down 9-of-24 (38 percent) from long range. The Captains turned the ball over just ten times while forcing 22 Blue Jays turnovers, and CNU out-scored the Jays on points off turnovers, 27-3. Elmhurst out-rebounded the Captains, 36-31, with Jahn Hines leading CNU on the boards with eight rebounds to go with his 19 points.

Christopher Newport will return to action in the Jay Bilas Classic Wednesday night at 8:00 p.m., taking on the Lions of the College of New Jersey at Curry Arena at Queens University of Charlotte. 

Original source can be found here