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SCRANTON, Pa. -- Making their third appearance in the NCAA Tournament Sectional Round in the last four seasons, the Christopher Newport women's basketball team will look to take down undefeated and third-ranked host University of Scranton on Friday night. Tip is set for 7:00 pm, as part of a double-header in the Sectional round, with Tufts (25-3) taking on Albright (27-2) in the opener at 5:00 pm. 

Admission for the games has been set at $7 for general and $4 for students, senior citizens and children ages 2 and older. Children under 2 years old will be admitted for free. Tickets will be sold prior to the event in three different time slots, as well as at the gate of the John Long Center. The cash only sales are available Thursday, March 10 from 2-4:30 pm and Friday, March 11 from 10am-1pm.

Live stats and a live video webcast will also be available for those fans unable to attend. The links for both will be provided at the CNU women's basketball schedule at CNUsports.com. 

Christopher Newport (24-4) has won 19 of their last 21 games to reach this point in the season, including a pair of dominating victories in the first and second round last weekend. They boast the second best scoring defense in the tournament, allowing just 44.5 points per game, bested only by their opponent as the Royals allowed just 43.0 points per game during the first weekend. Overall this season, the Captains scoring defense ranks 19th in the nation, holding opponents to just 51.8 points per game. The stifling defense has been a ball-hawking one, ranking second nationally in total steals and third in steals per game. 

First team All-Conference forward Sam Porter leads the defensive unit with 81 steals, while second team All-Conference forward Devon Byrd has added 76. The two are also the team's leading scorers and rebounders, as Porter has added 10.1 points and 6.6 rebounds per game while Byrd is pouring in 9.3 points, 6.1 rebounds per game. The balance has been key for Christopher Newport, playing without a singular star, but rather featuring six different scorers averaging 6.5 points per game or better.

Scranton leans on a talented starting five and has been impressive all season long. The Royals have posted an undefeated 29-0 record for first year head coach Trevor Woodruff, and rank 11th nationally in scoring defense (50.5). The first five all average over 28 minutes per game, and lead the team in every statistical category. Scranton is a team that shares the ball incredibly well, with three players distributing over 100 assists this season, including a team-high 167 out of the post from junior Sarah Payonk, who also leads the team in rebounding (10.0 rpg). The Royals' leading scorer is 6-1 junior forward Alexix Roman, averaging over 18 points per game this season, and earned first team All-Conference honors. Payonk was the Landmark Player of the Year, while Bridgette Mann earned Rookie of the Year and Woodruff Coach of the Year honors. 

Christopher Newport remains the lone Capital Athletic Conference team standing on the women's side after a record-tying three league teams reached the NCAA Tournament. In four seasons under head coach Bill Broderick, the Captains have danced to the Elite Eight once and now the Sweet 16 twice, posting an overall record of 7-2 in tournament play. Scranton, the Landmark Conference champions, won the 1985 NCAA Division III National Championship and are perennial powers, reaching the Final Four seven times in program history. This will be just the third meeting in program history, with the Royals winning both in the 1980's. 

For more information about the Sectional Round in Scranton, Pa., view the Royals' tournament website here.