NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The long-awaited return of the nationally-ranked Christopher Newport women's basketball team comes to the Freeman Center on Wednesday night, as the Captains take on Bridgewater College in the 2017-18 season opener at 6:00 pm.
After one of the finest seasons in program history last year, head coach
Bill Broderick and the Captains, ranked as high as No. 2 in the preseason national polls, will look to back up that performance with a veteran squad this season. Christopher Newport went 29-3 and reached the NCAA Final Four for the second time in program history, while also posting a deep run into the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in five years under coach Broderick. CNU is returning all five starters and 97% of it's scoring from last season and is ranked No. 4 in the WBCA Coaches' Poll.
Fans planning to attend the home opener at the Freeman Center are reminded the gates open one hour prior to tip. Chairback tickets are $8 and general admission seating is $5, while CNU students with a valid ID are admitted free. For fans unable to attend the contest, live stats and a live video webcast will be available at CNUsports.com/live.
CNU will return to the court after featuring the nation's second-ranked defense in terms of total steals, led by junior All-Region forward
Sam Porter, who ranked third nationally. Porter was also the team leader in scoring and rebounding and was named a D3hoops.com Preseason All-American earlier this week. Fellow seniors
Jasmine Bonivel,
Devon Byrd,
Bailey Dufrene,
Makenzie Fancher,
Anitra Thomas, and
Makeda Wright are all back for their final campaign this winter.
The Captains will be taking on Bridgewater College for the 22nd time in the all-time series, with CNU trailing the matchup, 8-13. Last season, CNU went on the road and captured a 67-47 victory in the season opener over the Eagles.
Bridgewater will be playing under a new coach this season, as first-year guide Sarah Mathews takes over on the sidelines. She will lead a squad that was 14-12 last season, and will lean on senior center Kaitlyn Lehan following a third team All-ODAC selection last year. Lehan averaged 10 points and 8.6 rebounds during the year, while heating up down the stretch.
Following Wednesday night's opener, the Captains will travel to McDaniel College for the McDaniel Tip-Off Tournament this weekend. CNU will take on St. John Fisher on Friday, November 17.
