NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The suffocating team defense for the nationally-ranked Christopher Newport women's basketball team held Meredith College (0-5) to just 13 first-half points en route to an 86-47 win at home on Sunday afternoon, improving to 5-0 on the season. Three freshmen finished in double figures, led by rookie Natalie Terwilliger's third double-double of the season. 

For the fifth straight game to start the year, the Captains forced 30 or more turnovers in a game when Meredith gave the basketball away 30 times against the tough CNU defense. Led by four steals apiece from Kiana Kirkland and Sondra Fan, the Captains piled up 18 takeaways while adding three blocked shots. CNU held Meredith to just 26.7% (12-45) shooting, including a 13.6% (3-22) effort in the first half. 

After both teams struggled to get moving offensively in the first seven minutes of the first quarter, the Captains led by just one, 8-7, heading into the final three of the frame. The home team burst the game open in that quick stretch, however, outscoring Meredith 14-3 in just 2:50 on the clock. Senior Zhaara Tannor drilled a three, and then finished on an old-fashioned three-point play with a minute-and-a-half remaining. Jasmine Norman and Jessica Foster connected on three free-throws and on their final possession, Foster picked up a steal and fast-break feed to Madison Howdyshell for the finish. 

The 14-3 run saw CNU open up a 21-10 lead after the first ten minutes, and would only continue that run through the second quarter. Over the final 12:50 of the first half, the Captains outscored the Avenging Angels, 32-6. CNU allowed only one field goal in the second quarter and held Meredith to just one point in the final 9:20 of action. 

Rookie Sondra Fan took over defensively for the Captains in the second quarter, grabbing three steals. She added 6 points to finish the opening half with a team-leading 10 in the book for the Captains. Fan would go on to score five more in the third quarter for a game-high 15 points and a new career best in her young career. She was one of three freshmen in double figures, joined by Foster, with 11, and Terwilliger, who added 11 points and 10 rebounds for her third double-double of the season. Senior Zhara Tannor added 10 points for CNU as well, rounding out a well-balanced performance that saw 14 players get into the scoring column. 

CNU had a dominant rebounding performance as well. Led by Terwilliger's 10, the Captains out-rebounded Meredith by a final tally of 54-36. Terwilliger, the reigning CAC Player of the Week, notched her third double-double in just 17 minutes of action. Howdyshell helped lead the way with eight boards to go with her seven points and three steals, while rookie Julia Ng added nine rebounds as well. 

The Captains will return to action on Wednesday, November 28 as they travel to Bridgewater College for non-conference action away from home. Tip against the Eagles is set for 6:00 pm. 

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