Box Score
Box Score in HTML Format
Box Score in PDF Format

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- On the last day of 2013, the 23rd-ranked Christopher Newport Captains (8-2) used a strong defensive effort to pull away with a 62-40 win over Virginia Wesleyan (8-3). The Captains were led by senior Tia Perry, filling the stat sheet with 18 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two blocked shots. 

The game was the first matchup for both teams in nearly two weeks, with the breather coming for the holiday season. After a slow start, the Marlins held an 8-6 advantage with 14:30 to go in the first half before CNU would go on a 9-2 run over the next four minutes to take a 15-10 lead. The score would change hands five times in the half as the offenses began to click and the score was tied at 20 with 4:33 left. CNU then closed on another run, 9-3, to take a six-point edge at halftime, 29-23. 

Perry led all scorers in the first half, knocking down 4-of-9 shots from the floor and dropping 12 points. She was a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line, and also dished three assists to lead CNU to a halftime lead. Rookie Allison Rowe hit a couple big three-pointers from the top of the key and went into the locker room second on the team in scoring with six points. 

Virginia Wesleyan, playing without the services of leading scorer Andrea Paphites, was led by center Nancy Kelly, with eight points and six assists on 4-of-5 shooting.

The key to CNU's success was defending the three-point shot, as the Marlins came into the game ranked in the Top 15 nationally in long-range shooting. In the first half, the Captains held VWC empty from deep, going 0-for-7. That trend would continue into the second half as CNU began to extend their halftime lead. At the end of the game, the Marlins were still 0-for beyond the arc,  in 15 attempts. Va. Wesleyan averaged over eight made three-pointers per game coming into the New Years' Eve battle. 

The Captains' potent offense got going early in the second half, building their lead to double figures two possessions in, and holding on to that lead for the final 16:56 of the game. A three-pointer from Jordan Miller made it 36-25 and the Captains never looked back. CNU held a 15-18 point edge for most of the second half, and built the lead to 20+ in the final minutes. A pair of free-throws by sophomore Kendra Stone, with 2:41 remaining, gave CNU a 56-36 advantage. 

CNU would close out the game with Anika Trent hitting a pair of free-throws, Mayumi Shill knocking down a trey and Bri Moses getting onto the scoresheet with a free-throw made. The Captains pulled away for a 62-40 victory, their third straight. 

Senior Nicole Mitchell just missed a double-double, with 12 points and nine rebounds, adding a pair of blocked shots. Perry's six assists matched the team total for Virginia Wesleyan, and she led all scorers with 18 points. Rowe added a new high to her young career, with eight points, while Stone finished with six points and five rebounds.

The Marlins were led by Kelly, who finished the game with a double-double; 10 points and 10 rebounds. Brittany Glasco added 13 poinst, on 6-of-14 shooting, while Katie Tassa and Alexis Platt each added six points. 

The Captains defense held Va. Wesleyan to just 17 second-half points and a 30.6% shooting performance on the day (15-49). Meanwhile, a 48.1% shooting second half brought the Captains' overall shooting percentage up to 43.6% (24-55) for the game. 

The game closes out the 2013-14 non-conference slate and the Captains will now look ahead to 2014 and the Capital Athletic Conference season. This Saturday, CNU will be back in action as they host Frostburg State at 2:00 pm, as part of a conference doubleheader with the men's teams.