Game Notes

FERRUM, Va. -- On Friday evening, at 5:00 pm, the 20th-ranked Christopher Newport Captains (22-5) will take on the Royals of Eastern Mennonite University (22-5) in the first round of the 2014 NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Championship. The game will be played on a neutral floor at Ferrum College, as the host Panthers face Capital University immediately following the Captains' first-round matchup. 

Live stats and a live video webcast will be available, with links found at CNUsports.com or on the Ferrum College Athletics website. 

This is the 16th NCAA Tournament appearance for the Captains, who boast an impressive 10-4 record in their last three trips to the big dance. Head coach Bill Broderick is 2-for-2 in reaching the NCAA Tournament, guiding the Captains all the way to the Elite Eight last season, his first at the helm for CNU. Christopher Newport boasts a 15-16 all-time record in the NCAA Championship, including one win against Friday night's opponent, Eastern Mennonite. 

The series is relatively small, however, for the in-state rival. The Royals own a slim 4-2 advantage in the all-time matchups, but the two programs have not faced off since 2003-04. That is not to say, however, that the teams haven't had a chance to see eachother. Last year, the Royals were a part of CNU's opening round pod, taking on Marymount University in the Freeman Center, falling to the Saints, 55-42. 

This season, Eastern Mennonite is led by senior Bianca Ygarza in many statistical categories. The fourth-year player is averaging 14.2 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, while chipping in 2.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game. Ygarza is a 5-8 forward, and has been named first team All-ODAC three times in her career. Point guard Keyla Baltimore is also a senior, and picked up third team All-Conference honors this year after ranking 25th nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio. Baltimore is averaging 8.2 points and 4.5 assists per game. 

On the other end of the floor, Christopher Newport will also lean on a senior at point guard, as level-headed Andrea Hobbs ranks 18th nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio. The Captains' senior floor general is dishing out 4.0 assists per game, and became only the second player in program history to lead the team in assists in three or more years of their career. She's been able to find a lot of dimes off passes to her starting front court, senior Nicole Mitchell and junior Camry Green. Mitchell, a first team All-Conference selection, is averaging 15.9 points per game and is shooting over 50% for the season; Green missed the first half of the season, but has rebounded with seven double-doubles in 17 games played, averaging 12.5 points and a team-high 8.5 rebounds per game.

This is just the third trip and second straight, into the NCAA Tournament for the Royals. 

Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for senior citizens and students.