YORK, Pa. – For the first time in four years of membership in the Capital Athletic Conference, Christopher Newport has captured the women's basketball regular-season title.
 
The Captains concluded the regular-season schedule Saturday, and the 12^th-ranked team in the country used a balanced attack to beat York College, 64-53. The victory at Charles Wolf Gymnasium sealed the regular-season title for the Captains, who will host a Capital Athletic Conference semi-final on Thursday night at the Freeman Center.
 
"I'm so proud of what we've been able to accomplish this season," Head Coach Bill Broderick said. "This is a tough league with three Top 20 programs, and to win it outright and go 16-2 is a major accomplishment."
 
Broderick's squad was led by junior Sam Porter, who posted 18 points and eight rebounds. Junior Devon Byrd recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Junior Anitra Thomas added 11 points, and sophomore Zhara Tannor scored ten.
 
The Captains defense again proved to be a deciding factor, as CNU forced 29 York turnovers. The Spartans averaged only 17 per game coming into Saturday's finale.
 
"I thought we made enough plays to win the game," Broderick continued. "That was a tough environment to go into with it being senior day and a great crowd. We showed a lot of poise and handled it well."
 
Christopher Newport finished tied for second last season in the CAC and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, finishing with a 24-5 overall mark.
 
CNU, 23-2 overall and 16-2 in the CAC, led by one at the end of the opening quarter, 14-13, and held a 34-27 advantage at the intermission. The Captains never relinquished the lead in the second stanza, pushing the margin to as many as 13 and holding off the Spartans for the 11-point triumph and conference crown.
 
The Spartans led 11-9 with 4:04 remaining in the opening quarter, but would not lead again the rest of the way. York was able to get as close as five in the final quarter only to be held off by the Captains stingy defense. Junior Morgan Kuehne led the Spartans with 12 points. Senior Sam Hruz recorded eight points, six rebounds, six steals, five blocks, and five assists.
 
York is now 17-8 and 11-7 in conference play. The Spartans will be the fourth seed in the CAC Tournament and will host Frostburg State, the fifth seed, Tuesday night in the quarterfinals.
 
The Captains will then host the winner of Tuesday's York/Frostburg State game in a 6:00 p.m. start Thursday at the Freeman Center.