Box Score in HTML Format
Box Score in PDF Format

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Playing in their final home regular season game of the season, the Christopher Newport women's basketball team guaranteed at least one more game in the Freeman Center, clinching a home game in the CAC Tournament with a crucial overtime win over Marymount (15-8, 11-5) on Saturday. The Captains (15-8, 11-5) earned their second straight come-from-behind victory with a 72-61 victory, moving into a tie for third with the Saints, and will finish no lower than fourth in the final conference standings. 

Coming into this week, the Christopher Newport women's basketball team was 0-8 this season when trailing at the half. With two critical comeback wins this week, the Captains made sure to turn that note around. First, on Wednesday, CNU erased an 11-point deficit on the road at Mary Washington and on Saturday, outscored Marymount by 20 after halftime to eliminate a nine-point Saints edge at the break. 

Despite being scoreless after two minutes of action in the extra period, the Captains would go on to dominate overtime, outscoring Marymount 16-5. The big spark came as sophomore Lauren Cox converted a four-point play on a circus shot from the right wing. Fouled as she was shooting, the ball banked off the glass and went down to give CNU the go-ahead bucket. As the point guard knocked down the free-throw, it would ignite a run of 13 straight made free-throws in the OT period for the Captains, powering the home team to the win. 

On the very next possession, the Captains would drain the shot clock before taking a three from the base line that bounced off the rim. Rookie Sam Porter hauled in a critical offensive rebound and was fouled on the way back up, earning a trip to the line. She converted on both, giving CNU a six-point edge in overtime, a lead the Saints were unable to erase.

Cox hit two more free-throws, followed by a pair from rookie Anitra Thomas. Then freshman Makenzie Fancher went 4-for-4 from the line, followed by the final two points at the charity stripe from senior Camry Green. 

The comeback was set up by cold shooting by the Captains in the opening half, as Christopher Newport shot just 25.9% (7-27) from the field in the first 20 minutes. CNU did knock down four triples, including a pair from freshman Jalynn Ponzo, but found themselves down nine as Marymount was shooting 50% (11-22) from the field. Kievanna Lacey led all scorers with 11 first-half points. 

After the Saints took a 10-point edge a minute and a half into the second half, the Captains started to mount their comeback. An 11-3 run over the next five minutes got the Captains back within one possession. The surge included 
a huge three-pointer from the wing by Devon Byrd. Moments later, after the teams traded baskets, Byrd drilled her second three-pointer to tie the game at 39 with 11:02 remaining. 

Marymount looked ready to rebound, as they scored the next seven points to take control again, but could not manage to hold off the Captains in the final five minutes of the game. Up four with just over five minutes left, the Captains free-throw shooting caught fire. CNU hit seven straight free-throws down the stretch, taking a 52-50 lead with 3:12 remaining. In all, CNU stroked 20 straight free-throws between the end of regulation and the overtime period combined.

After Lacey hit a three-pointer to re-take the lead, the Captains and Saints traded baskets the next three possessions to give CNU a one-point edge with 1:42 remaining, 56-55. Lacey was fouled and made 1-of-2 from the line, tying the game at 56, giving both teams a chance to win it in the final minute. Marymount turned the ball over with 14 seconds left and, out of a timeout, CNU got a good look for Fancher, but the freshman's shot was just off the back iron, forcing overtime. 

CNU outscored the visitors 53-33 after halftime, including the massive edge in overtime. CNU was led by Porter, posting a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. She was 9-for-12 from the free-throw line, helping CNU finish 26-of-35 for the team for just over 74%. Byrd added 11 points off the bench, with four rebounds, two blocks and two steals. 

On her Senior Day, the Captains only fourth-year player Camry Green hauled in a game-high 13 rebounds to go with eight points and a pair of assists. She now has 981 career rebounds with two games left in the regular season. She led the way as the Captains outrebounded Marymount, 41-30, including 16 offensive boards. 

Lacey finished with a game-high 29 points for the Saints, while Leah Hurst added 10 points as the only other double-figure scorer in the game. The Saints were just 1-for-10 in overtime, and finished the game shooting 37.7% (20-53). 

Christopher Newport is back in action with two more regular season games on the road, taking on St. Mary's College of Maryland on Wednesday, February 18 at 6:00 pm before wrapping up the year at Penn State Harrisburg on February 21 at 1:00 pm