NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - The ninth-ranked CNU women's basketball team clinched no worse than a tie for the USA South regular season championship with a 72-54 win over second place Averett at the Freeman Center Wednesday night.

The Captains raced to the first eight points and never trailed in collecting their 21st straight win. CNU led, 40-25, at halftime and had as much as 25 in the second half.

Chelsie Schweers paced CNU with 21 points, while Lauren Gural added 14, Kimmy Hopkins 13 and Kelly Halverson 10. CNU was 27-49 from the floor, a .551 percentage, and out-rebounded the Cougars, 34-29. Alysa Kerr had nine rebounds and nine points.

For Averett, Kristyn Wharton scored 13 points and Kaneshia Slade and Ashley Washington added ten each.

CNU is now 21-0 and 14-0 in the conferece. Averett is 13-7 and 9-5.

The Captains host Meredith Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Freeman Center.

The box score