CNU Women's Basketball Game Notes  ||  CNU Men's Basketball Game Notes

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- In the newest edition of the in-state rivalry between Christopher Newport and Mary Washington, the Freeman Center will host a pair of huge Capital Athletic Conference matchups on Wednesday night, beginning at 5:30 pm.

In the opener, two women's programs ranked in the top ten will headline the night's action, pitting a pair of undefeated teams against each other. It marks the first time in league history that two teams with 15-0 records will do battle as the sixth-ranked CNU women (15-0, 8-0) host the ninth-ranked Mary Washington women (15-0, 8-0) at 5:30 pm. 

Following the women's matchup, the CNU men, who have moved up to No. 3 in the most recent Top 25 ranking, will host the Eagles at approximately 7:30 pm. The Captains have won seven straight and are now 13-2 on the season with a 7-1 record in conference play, while Mary Washington comes in with an 8-7 overall mark and 4-4 record against the CAC. 

Live stats and a live video webcast will be available for both games at CNUsports.com/live. The men's game will also be broadcast live on Xtra 99.1 FM, the CNU/Pepsi Radio Network. 

About No. 6/6 CNU Women's Basketball (15-0, 8-0)
Christopher Newport has put together the second longest win streak to start a season in program history, winning its first 15 games coming into Wednesday. The hot start has been bouyed by terrific team defense, ranking 18th nationally in scoring defense by allowing just 50.1 points per game. In 13 of the first 15 games this season, the Captains have allowed more than 51 points in a game only twice. 

Leading the charge on the defensive end of the floor is junior Sam Porter, who has gathered 60 steals already this season. She leads the league and ranks 10th nationally in steals, while just one theft away from the 200-steals plateau for her career. The Captains' first team All-Conference forward is also the team's leading scorer (12.1 ppg) and rebounder (7.7 rpg) in her third year with the squad. 

Behind Porter, the Captains' team balance has led to its success on the offensive end. Despite being the league's leading offense by +5.0 points per game, averaging 76.0 ppg, only one other player averages even nine points per contest. Sophomore Jessica Daguilh is shooting 55% from the field, while junior Anitra Thomas has been dangerous from outside, burying 25 triples this season. Rebounding, especially on the offensive glass, has been exceptional for CNU, ranking 12th nationally in rebounding margin (+11.4). 

About No. 9/10 University of Mary Washington Women's Basketball (15-0, 8-0)
The Eagles are a veteran team leaning heavily on three upperclassmen this season, including two of the top three scorers in the conference. Junior guard Kendall Parker leads the squad with almost 16 points per game, doing most of her damage from outside. She leads the league in three-point shooting, knocking down almost 45% from outside, and ranks second in the CAC in scoring.

Senior Brianne Comden was an honorable mention All-American last season and ranks third in the league in scoring while averaging over 15 points per game as well. The third veteran anchoring the Eagles is point guard Megan Green, who has dished 55 assists compared to just 16 turnovers this season, while also pouring in seven points per game. Green ranks second nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio.

Mary Washington also features a top-tier defense, ranking 14th nationally by allowing just 49.1 points per game. The Eagles offense also ranks in the top 15 in field goal percentage, hitting 44.7% of their shots this season. 

About No. 3 CNU Men's Basketball (13-2, 7-1)
The Captains continued their climb in the Top 25 this week, moving all the way back up to No. 3 following another perfect week in conference play. CNU has now won seven straight overall, including four against the Capital Athletic Conference. 

In their last matchup, the Captains traveled to Penn State Harrisburg and came away with a near 20-point win over the Lions, powered by an exceptional effort from the starting lineup. Four of the five starters finished in double figures, including a 17-point, 7-rebound performance to lead the way from Marcus Carter. Tim Daly (15 pts, 8 reb), Rayshard Brown (15 pts), and Kevin Regimbal (12 pts) rounded out the winning effort by CNU. Four Captains are now averaging double figures for the season, as Carter, Daly, Regimbal, and junior Aaron McFarland are all pouring in over 10 points per game. 

While the offense has been explosive at times, it has been a consistent, stifling effort from the defense that has led the nationally-ranked Captains this season. CNU has allowed more than 62 points only twice, and ranks second nationally ini scoring defense (56.5 ppg) and field goal percentage defense (.360). 

About Mary Washington Men's Basketball (8-7, 4-4)
Despite a record of just over .500 for the season, the Mary Washington men have come very close to a much more impressive record. Two losses for the Eagles have come in overtime and three of their seven setbacks have been by two possessions or less.

Mary Washington is led by one of the league's top scorers in junior forward Eric Shaw, who is scoring 16.5 points per game this season. He ranks second in the Capital in points per game, while also leading the team in rebounding and blocks per game. Behind Shaw, the Eagles lean heavily on the three-point shot, powered by rookie Austin Hall and senior John Lutkenhaus, each averaging 11.3 points per game. The duo combined for nearly five made three-pointers per game, leading an Eagles outside attack that is hitting 7.3 per contest. 

The Eagles are averaging 72.3 points per game, ranking fourth in the conference. 

Game Times
Tip off for the women's contest is scheduled for 5:30 pm. The men's matchup will begin approximately 20 minutes following the conclusion of the women's game, or no earlier than 7:30 pm.