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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The 23rd ranked Christopher Newport women's basketball team improved to 7-2 on the season, picking up their first ever Capital Athletic Conference victory, by holding off Salisbury University (4-3, 1-1) on Wednesday night, 78-68. The Captains saw five different players score in the game, led by senior Tia Perry with 16 points.

The Captains raced out to a big lead in their first home game since the first of the month, riding a hot defensive press to an 18-3 opening-game run. The feverish run spanned over seven minutes to start the game, with six different players factoring into the scoring. Senior Nicole Mitchell had five points, while sophomore Jordan Miller hit a big three and Brandi Holland capped the run with an open-court steal and fast-break layup. 

The Sea Gulls started the game 1-for-9 facing the Captains defense, and the pressure led to five turnovers. Becca Himes finally broke the drought for Salisbury with 12:03 left on the clock in the first half, knocking down a layup off an assist by Melanie Mocniak. The Captains would grow the lead to as many as 18, though, thrice in the half; first on a three-pointer by Kendra Stone, again with two minutes remaining on a put-back by Mitchell, and finally on a nice cut by Holland for an open layup off a pass by Stone.

At the break, CNU had scored 18 points off of Salisbury turnovers, and had built a 15-point lead, 44-29. The Sea Gulls had given away the ball 13 times, with CNU collecting six steals led by Perry's three. Mitchell had 10 points in the opening stanza, on 4-of-7 shooting, with five rebounds.  Holland also surged out of the gates, hitting 4-of-7 for nine points. 

Another early run in the second half would grow the lead to a game-high 21 points with 13:18 remaining in the second half. Stone hit a pair of free-throws to give CNU a 59-38 lead before Salisbury attempted to claw back into the game. Over the next four minutes of actoin, the Sea Gulls put together a furious run of their own to pull back within seven points. They scored 16 of the next 18 points, including three long-range buckets and a traditional three-point play. Junior point guard Anna Hackett nearly single-handedly got Salisbury back within single digits, scoring 13 of the 16 points in the run. Courtney McManus had the other three, a trey off an assist by Hackett. 

Perry finally stalled the run with a jumper in the paint, followed by one free throw and a three-pointer by Jordan Miller.  A bucket by Mitchell gave CNU eight straight points and the lead was back to 15, 69-54, with 7:05 to go. Still, Salisbury would not fold, cutting back to within two possessions with 1:47 left in the game. It was five straight points from Sarah Seipp, including a three putting the score at 72-66. 

On the very next possession, sophomore La'Shay Lucas, who took just one shot in the game, came through with a big bucket, followed by a defensive rebound on the other end. Forced to the free-throw line for the rest of the game, CNU would close out for a 78-68 victory. 

Perry's 16 points led a group of five Captains in double figures. Mitchell had 15, Miller 12 on four made three-pointers, Holland 11 and Stone 10. In the game, CNU shot 47.5% from the field on 29-61 shooting, including a dominant 8-17 night from long-range. 

Salisbury's stat sheet was filled with solid individual performances, but the Sea Gulls were unable to overcome a tough night shooting, at 37.5% from the field. Hackett finished with a game-high 31 points on 11-18 from the field, while Seipp added 20 points and eight rebounds. Six different Sea Gulls registered at least four rebounds, led by Mocniak's game-high nine boards. Julia McLaughlin also came off the bench to grab four steals and six rebounds.

CNU finished the game with 15 second-chance points and 26 off of turnovers. Salisbury held the edge on the fast break, scoring 17 points in transition.

Christopher Newport will return to action on New Year's Eve, as they play host to cross-water rivals Virginia Wesleyan College at 2:00 pm. Live stats and live video will be available at CNUsports.com