NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The 19th-ranked Christopher Newport University women's basketball team will open the 2011-12 USA South Athletic season on Wednesday night, when they play host to Mary Baldwin College (2-1) at 7:00 pm. The Captains are 4-0 to start the year under Interim Head Coach Jon Waters.

CNU, fresh off its first national ranking of the season, will play two league games this week, starting with the Wednesday night tilt against the Fighting Squirrels. The Captains are led by sophomores Nicole Mitchell and Tia Perry early this season. Mitchell leads the team in scoring and rebounding with 13.3 points per game and 7.8 rebounds per game and Perry is right behind in both categories with 12.0 and 6.8 respectively.

The Captains have won each of the first four games by double digits, and have won 15 of the last 16 games dating back to last season. CNU won three matchups against Mary Baldwin last season, including a USA South Quarterfinal victory.

The Fighting Squirrels have won two of three games away from home to start the season, with wins at Hollins and vs. York (N.Y.) on a neutral site in the opening week of the season. Senior forward Sabrina Desper leads the team in scoring with 14.3 points per game and is second in rebounding with 7.3 boards per contest. Rookie guard Shanice Miles has scored 13.7 points per game and has 10 assists to go with over five rebounds per game so far this year.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm on Wednesday night in the Freeman Center. Live stats will be available at CNUsports.com.