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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- In their first game since appearing in the NCAA Final Four almost eight months ago to the day, the nationally-ranked Christopher Newport women's basketball team showcased the same tenacious defense that helped boost the Captains to their deep postseason run with a 63-36 victory over Bridgewater College on Wednesday night. CNU grabbed 23 steals and swatted six shots while holding the Eagles to 11 points or fewer in all four quarters. 

The Captains (1-0) opened the season with a dominating victory and improved to 5-1 in season openers under head coach Bill Broderick. CNU is also now 14-3 all-time in home openers since the Freeman Center first opened it's doors in 2000-01. 

The game appeared a microcosm of last season's success, with balanced scoring up and down the lineup paired with a stellar defensive effort. Last year's squad ranked second in the nation in steals per game and opened up the 2017-18 slate with another elite performance with 23 thefts. Junior Sam Porter led the way with five, while sophomore Erin Carroll also grabbed a career-high four. Sophomores Annemarie Beran, Kiana Kirkland, and rookie Bailey Hodges each added three for CNU in the season opener. 

In all, the Captains forced 39 turnovers and held the Eagles to just 32.5% shooting (13-40). On the offensive end, CNU was led by sophomore Micah Maloney with 10 points (4-7) and senior Bailey Dufrene with 9 points (3-8). Three more CNU players chipped in seven points each as the balanced effort saw 12 of 14 players get into the scoring column. 

Christopher Newport led wire-to-wire, opening the game on a 19-5 run to get out to a big lead in the first quarter. The defense was the catalyst, as 16 points came off turnovers in the first quarter as CNU raced out to a 22-10 advantage after the first 10 minutes. In the second quarter, the Eagles managed just six points on 3-of-9 shooting with 12 turnovers. Powered by a strong performance by Jasmine Bonivel in the second quarter, CNU built the lead to 25 at the intermission, 41-16. Bonivel scored five points, grabbed three rebounds, and blocked a pair of shots in the second stanza. 

In the second half, the Captains offense slowed, but the defensive pressure continued to frustrate the Bridgewater attack. The Eagles shot just 27.3% (6-22) in the second half, scoring just 11 points in the third quarter and nine in the fourth. Carroll led the way for CNU in the third quarter with five points and a steal, while seven different Captains registered at least one theft. After the team was held without a point in the first four minutes of the fourth quarter, sophomore Micah Maloney took over, scoring all eight of CNU's fourth-quarter points on 3-of-4 shooting to finish out the big victory. 

Points off turnovers was a huge edge for the Captains, getting as many points off takeaways as Bridgewater scored in the game, with 36. CNU edged the Eagles in that category, 36-6. For the game, CNU shot 35.4% (23-65) while knocking down six three-pointers. The Captains had a slight edge on the glass, 38-36, while also connecting on 15 assists in 23 made baskets. 

CNU will return to action this weekend as they take on St. John Fisher College in the McDaniel Tip-Off Tournament this Friday, November 17. Tip is set for 8:00 pm on Friday.