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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Rookie Makenzie Fancher notched a new career-high with a team-leading 16 points, and senior Camry Green collected her tenth double-double of the season as the Captains (9-4, 5-1) pulled away for a 77-52 win at home Saturday afternoon, dropping Penn State Harrisburg in league action. CNU never trailed against the Lions (3-10, 2-4) as the home team's depth was once again on display, with 42 points coming from the bench. 

With 12 rebounds against the Lions, the Captains senior leader moved into a tie for seventh all-time at Christopher Newport. Green now has 861 career rebounds, matching the career output of CNU Athletics Hall of Famer Gwynn Drewry ('81). 

A 14-0 spurt to open the game did not come easily for the Captains, as both teams struggled from the floor in the early going. Over the first eight minutes, the Captains were just 2-for-10 from the field while Penn State Harrisburg were 0-for-6 with eight turnovers in the early stages. The drought was ended on a three-point play by Kiara Carter with just under 11 minutes remaining in the first half and the junior added another layup moments later to pull back within nine, 14-5. That would prove to be the closest margin the rest of the night, however, as the Captains started to create some distance before halftime. 

Despite the slow start, Christopher Newport would go into the locker room with a 20-point edge, 36-16, as the defense continued its strong performance. The offense got going, hitting 10-of-17 shots to finish out the half, and wrap up the opening stanza at 44.4% from the field (12-27). Nine different players picked up a steal in the first half as the Captains forced 14 turnovers by the Lions, who managed just six made field goals (6-24). 

In the second half, the balanced attack by CNU continued to smother the Lions as the Captains increased the lead to a game-high 41 points with 7:37 remaining. Devon Byrd drilled a three-pointer off an assist by Anitra Thomas to extend the game's biggest lead with under eight minutes to play. As the benches turned over, the lead would shrink to the final score of 77-52. Penn State Harrisburg's strong second half was led by Christine Mabry off the bench, who finished the game with 16 points including a 4-for-5 effort from long range. 

Fancher and Byrd were both 5-for-6 from the field in the game and combined for five made three-pointers. The rookie point guard scored 16 points with four three's, three rebounds, three assists and one steal. Byrd was also all over the stat sheet, scoring 11 points with four rebounds, three assists and four steals. Green finished with 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the floor, with 12 rebounds for her 10th double-double of the season. 

As a team, the Captains finished 42.2% (27-64) from the floor, including nine triples on 21 attempts. The defense forced 29 Harrisburg turnovers, with 17 steals and one blocked shot. 

The Lions were led by Carter, with 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Mabry's 16 points in relief. Kaitlyn Carmo and Janel Brown each had eight points and combined for 12 rebounds. 

CNU will return to action on Wednesday, January 14 as they take on St. Mary's College of Maryland at 5:30 pm.