NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Christopher Newport defeated the Bridgewater College Eagles, 87-73, Friday evening in the opening round of the Point Plaza Invitational hosted by CNU.

For the second straight game, the Eagles rallied from a huge second-half deficit only to come up short down the stretch.

CNU led 43-26 at the half and stretched the lead to 25 points early in the second half.

The Eagles fought back and when Kyle Hammond (Bluefield, W.Va./Bluefield) hit a 3-pointer with 3:35 left in the game, the Eagles trailed by just six 71-65.

The Captains, however, withstood the charge and pulled away down the stretch to secure the victory.

The biggest differences in the game came on the boards and at the foul line. CNU dominated the boards by a 47-30 margin and the Captains attempted 45 free throws, making 30.

Ronnie Thomas (Roanoke, Va./Patrick Henry) led the Eagles with 17 points and six assists. Rick Maloney (Virginia Beach, Va./Floyd Kellam) added 14 points and Hammond scored 13.

The Eagles will play York (N.Y.) College in the consolation game Saturday at 5:30 p.m. York lost to Wesley College, 75-66, in Friday'ss first game.