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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The nationally-ranked Christopher Newport women's basketball team rolled to a big win in the team's home opener on Tuesday night, doubling up Methodist University (1-3) in a full team effort, 100-50. The Captains improved to 3-0, led by an impressive home debut from the rookie class. 

Playing on the hardwood in the Freeman Center for the first time in their careers, freshmen Micah Maloney and Stephanie Seaman highlighted the impressive win for CNU. Maloney finished with a game-high 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting, while Seaman neared a double-double with 13 points and eight assists. Rookie Annemarie Beran had a team-high four steals to go with seven rebounds, and first-year Erin Carroll added six points and six boards. 

All six players in the freshman class logged significant minutes on Tuesday night, helping the Captains get out to an early lead and hold on for the runaway victory. CNU opened the game on a 46-14 roll well into the second quarter, holding the Monarchs to just seven made field goals in the first half. Methodist took just 10 shots in the first quarter, facing a torturous CNU defense that forced 27 turnovers in the game. In total, Methodist managed just 7-of-27 field goals in the first half for a shooting percentage of just under 26%. 

While the Captains defense continued it's strong start to the season, the offense caught fitre early behind Seaman from long range. Her first triple of the game made it 13-5 with 4:16 left in the first, and she buried another two minutes later to extend the lead to 13 at 19-6. After Sam Porter worked for a trip to the line, converted both free-throws, and then earned a fast-break layup after jumping a passing lane, the Captains looked outside for another three, but this time it came from Maloney. In the final minute of the first quarter, CNU added another 7-1 spurt to give the home team a 30-11 edge early. 

In the second quarter, CNU built the lead to 36 points before intermission, at 60-24. Carroll hit a pair of three-pointers and Seaman connected on her third of the night to highlight the action. Her third came with some flair as she buried a near 30-footer as CNU was forced into a quick shot with only two seconds remaining on the shot clock on an inbounds play. CNU shot over 50% in the first half, connecting on 22-of-42 attempts, including a red-hot 6-for-11 from three-point range. 

With a hefty lead in hand, the Captains' pace slowed in the second half, outscoring the Monarchs 40-26 for the final score of 100-50. Sophomore Madison Howdyshell led the way after the break, and finished the night just one rebound shy of a double-double with 15 points and nine boards. Sophomore Jessica Daguilh also had a terrific performance, scoring 15 points with eight rebounds and a blocked shot. As a whole, CNU owned the paint against Methodist, out-rebounding the visitors by a final tally of 56-33, including 24 offensive rebounds leading to 29 points. 

The CNU bench scored 68 points in the game, led by three double-figure scoring performances from Seaman, Howdyshell and Maloney. It was a career night for Howdyshell, setting personal marks for scoring and rebounding while knocking down 5-of-8 attempts. 

Seaman was more than just a scorer for the Captains on Tuesday night, dishing out eight assists. The eight dimes are the most in the Freeman Center since Kimmy Hopkins delivered eight versus Ferrum in 2010. 

The CNU offense finished 47.6% from the field (39-82) with a 45% night from long range (9-20). Defensively, it was the third straight opponent to open the year that CNU has held to 50 points or fewer. Methodist knocked down just 28.8% of their shots (15-52) and CNU registered 20 steals in the contest. 

Christopher Newport will now take the next few days off for the Thanksgiving holiday, but will return to action on Sunday, November 27 at Meredith College. Live stats and video will be available for the Captains' third road game of the season, as CNU looks to remain undefeated against the Avenging Angels. 

Highlights