NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Four Captains scored in double figures and the entire roster helped piece together a suffocating defensive effort as the Christopher Newport women's basketball team opened up Capital Athletic Conference action with a 92-38 victory over Frostburg State on Sunday afternoon at the Freeman Center.
 
Sam Porter and Anitra Thomas tied for the team-lead with 15 points apiece, while Bailey Dufrene and Jalynn Ponzo added 10 each. Zhara Tannor also dished out a season-high six assists, and Makenzie Fancher added four helpers and a team-high three steals. Overall, the Captains collected 16 steals and limited the Bobcats to 24 percent shooting from the field during the game.
 
With the victory, Christopher Newport improves to 5-0 on the season, while Frostburg State falls to 1-5.
 
From the outset, the Captains set the tone with an incredible effort on both sides of the ball. In the first quarter, the hosts stormed out to a 20-0 lead. Dufrene drilled a pair of quick threes to kick off the onslaught, while Porter and Makeda Wright also connected from downtown in the early going. Meanwhile, on the defensive end, CNU blanketed the Bobcats, forcing six turnovers before FSU broke through on the scoreboard with just over two minutes remaining in the quarter.
 
Eventually, Porter helped put a solid punctuation mark on the first period as the second-year standout hit two late buckets, including a layup off a solid feed from Madison Howdyshell, to give the hosts a 26-9 edge at the end of the opening quarter.
 
With a healthy lead, the Captains kept the pressure on in the second. Eliminating the passing lanes, Porter, Fancher, and Devon Byrd all came up with steals during the early going, while Ponzo connected on two shots from the field. Later, Thomas caught fire. The sophomore converted a three-point play after cruising coast-to-coast on a beautiful break. Less than a minute later, she drained a three off a pass from Tannor to give CNU a 42-13 edge.
 
With time running down in the first half, Thomas came back to close out the period. Electric on both ends of the court, she swatted a shot and grabbed the ball before converting another three-point play on the offensive end. Ellen Nye also added a late steal and bucket, while Jasmine Bonivel stuffed the stat sheet with a rebound, assist, and jumper in the final 30 seconds to cap off the half with a 53-15 edge.
 
Following the break, the Captains picked up right where they left off. Continuing to frustrate the Bobcats, Fancher forced a turnover and bolted down the court for a fast-break layup to open the second half. Later, she and Porter also dropped in threes, while Dufrene and Byrd did work in the paint with a pair of layups to snatch a 67-24 lead with five minutes to go in the third quarter.
 
Helping keep the comfortable cushion, Jessica Daguilh had an impressive run late in the period. The freshman cleaned the glass with three rebounds, including a pair of offensive boards. She also added three points, including a layup off a pass from Tannor. Shortly thereafter, Tannor came back with another dime as she hit Wright in-stride for a fast-break bucket to help close out the third with a 74-29 advantage.
 
With little left to prove, the Captains eased into the victory in the final stanza. Tannor continued to shine on the offensive end with a basket and two assists, while Bonivel hit a three to push the lead to 81-33. Later, Nye came through with a block and bucket before Madison Bloxom and Tyler Robin drove home the final two nails with a pair of field goals to lock up the 92-38 victory.
 
Overall, the Captains shot 49 percent from the field and held a 46-28 advantage on the glass. Byrd, Porter, and Bonivel all chipped in with two steals apiece as well. Bonivel also contributed eight points on the offensive end, while Wright had seven.
 
Christopher Newport will return to action on Wednesday when the squad hosts Salisbury in another CAC battle at 5:30 p.m.
 
---CNU---