VA BEACH, VA – Christopher Newport's women's basketball squad won its third game in four tries with an 81-67 win over cross-water rival VA Wesleyan Saturday afternoon.

The Captains quickly sprinted out to a seven-point lead, 11-4, with 14:46 left in the first on a bucket by Jessica Moore. The Marlins however went on a 24-6 run to take a 28-17 lead with 4:28 left on two Allison Wheeler free throws.

VA Wesleyan would lead 36-25 at the break. The Marlins shot 12-of-30 (40%) from the field, 5-of-13 (39%) from behind the arc and 7-of-8 (88%) from the charity stripe. Christopher Newport finished the half 11-of-25 (44%) from the floor, 0-of-1 from long range and 3-of-4 from the line.

In the second half, the Captains offense caught fire, shooting 15-of-21 (71%) from the field, 4-of-7 (57%) on three-point attempts and 22-of-25 (88%) from the charity stripe. CNU's defense also clamped down and held VWC to 10-of-33 (30%) shooting from the floor, 2-of-8 (25%) on three's and 9-of-10 from the line. Christopher Newport out-scored the Marlins, 56-31 in the second half.

VA Wesleyan came out and started the second half by draining a three-pointer just six seconds in to extend its lead to 14. CNU countered by going on an 18-4 to tie the game at 43-43 with 15:02 left in the game on Colandra Rollins' bucket.

Chelsie Schweers' three-pointer with 13:06 left in the game put the Captains ahead for good. The largest lead Christopher Newport would have would be 15 with 1:56 left in the second on Schweers' free throw.

Tonia Jones led the Marlins with 21 points. Kristina Jameson finished with 18 off the bench and Wheeler contributed 16 points, also off the bench.

Schweers finished with 27 points on 8-of-9 shooting, including draining all three three-pointers she attempted and hitting 8-of-9 free throws. Rollins added 22 points and a career-high 17 rebounds. She was 7-of-14 from the floor and 8-of-9 from the line. Moore, a freshman, seeing her first action of the year, finished with 16 points and eight rebounds. Michele Russell had 11 in the win.

CNU out-rebounded the Marlins, 43-23.

VA Wesleyan falls to 7-2 on the year while the Captains are now 3-1. CNU returns to action Tuesday when they host Lynchburg in the team's final game before the holiday break.