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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The tough Christopher Newport defense was on display again on Sunday evening as the nationally-ranked Captains stifled Wesley College (2-5, 1-3) en route to a 74-40 win in Capital Athletic Conference action. The Captains (8-0, 4-0) forced 36 Wolverine turnovers and held their conference foe to just 34.1% shooting (15-44) in the ball game to remain undefeated this season. 

The Captains' eight-game win streak to open the season is tied for the fourth longest season-opening roll in program history. CNU is also a pristine 4-0 in conference play, tied with Marymount atop the league standings. 

The defensive effort was headlined by 21 steals from the Captains, with five players registering multiple thefts in the contest. Senior Sam Porter grabbed a game-high five steals, moving past Hall of Famer Chelsie Schweers for 6th on the all-time steals chart with 277. Zhara Tannor added four steals for the Captains while Anitra Thomas had three and Jessica Daguilh and Makeda Wright each grabbed a pair. Five more CNU players picked up one steal in the contest. 

In all eight games this season, Christopher Newport has held their opponent to 40% or lower shooting from the field and Sunday's victory was the seventh time in eight games that the Captains have held their opponent to under 60 points in a game.

The Captains would build a 31-17 halftime edge courtesy of a 20-7 second quarter that built the advantage. Porter led the way in the first half with seven points, five rebounds, and three steals. Tannor and Bailey Dufrene each added five points in the first half as the Captains opened up the big lead. CNU forced 23 first-half turnovers and grabbed 12 steals. The 17-point first half was the third lowest total of the season for a CNU opponent.

In the second half, another strong quarter helped CNU build the lead to 27 points at 50-23 after a three-pointer from Dufrene and a free-throw by Micah Maloney. The trip to the charity stripe was part of an impressive second half for Maloney, who finished with 10 points and 6 rebounds. 

Maloney was the second-leading scorer only to Porter's 11 points. The senior forward added eight rebounds, five steals, and a blocked shot in just 19 minutes of play. Daguilh also was close to a double-double with 10 rebounds and seven points, while blocking three shots and adding two steals. 

The Captains dominated the rebounding battle, particularly in the second half. CNU held a 57-36 advantage on the glass at the final whistle, including a 32-12 edge after the intermission. Christopher Newport grabbed 26 offensive rebounds and scored 27 points on second chances, while Wesley managed just four second-chance points. 

Christopher Newport is off until December 20 to finish out the fall semester with final exams. Following testing, the Captains will fly to Hawaii for the 2017 Hoop N' Surf Classic on December 20-21, when they will take on nationally-ranked Thomas More College and Willamette University. 

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