Game Notes

LYNCHBURG, Va. -- The 12th-ranked Christopher Newport women's basketball team will return to action after a nearly two-week holiday break on Saturday, December 29 as they head to the University of Lynchburg Holiday Classic for a pair of games this weekend. The Captains (8-1) will first take on the host Hornets (4-6) at 2:00 pm on Saturday before then facing 25th-ranked Emory & Henry College (7-2) on Sunday, December 30 at 2:00 pm. 

The Classic-style in-season tournament will be played on Wayne Proffitt Court at Turner Gymnasium in Lynchburg, Va. and admission is free of charge. For fans who can not attend the game live, a video webcast and live stats will be available courtesy of the Lynchburg athletics department. Links can be found on the women's basketball schedule at CNUsports.com. 

Prior to the holidays, the Christopher Newport offense had caught fire to the tune of three 90-point games in the last four matchups for the Captains. CNU is coming off a 91-68 win over William Peace on December 16 that followed a 100-61 road win at N.C. Wesleyan College on December 6. Despite the gaudy team numbers, the Captains continue to manage the high-powered offense with balance as only one player is averaging double figures this season. Junior Kiana Kirkland, with 12.7 points per game, leads an attack that has seen seven players pouring in 5.0 points per game or better. 

Defensively, the Captains continue to fluster opposing offenses and lead the nation in steals per game (19.1). After leading the country in that category all season last year, the Captains Chaos defense has returned in 2018-19, forcing 31.1 turnovers per game. Senior Zhara Tannor and Kirkland lead the defense with 27 and 26 steals, respectively, while senior Madison Howdyshell has added 23 thefts. Eight different CNU players have already reached 10 steals on the season. 

Coming into Saturday's tournament, the University of Lynchburg has won two of their last three and three of their last five games. After starting the year just 1-4, the Hornets have bounced back and are just two games under .500 heading into the Saturday afternoon tilt against CNU. Senior Molly Shephard leads the way with 14.5 points and 9.8 rebounds per game, while fellow senior Alex Allen is also averaging double figures with 10.5 points per contest. 

Sunday's opponent just fell out of the WBCA Division III Top 25 but remain ranked 25th in the D3hoops.com national rankings. The Emory & Henry Wasps suffered a three-point loss at home to Randolph-Macon in their last outing after opening the season 7-1. A veteran lineup is led by junior Sydney McKinney, knocking down 50% of her three-pointers and pouring in 13.5 points per game. Senior Taylor Blevins is also a sharpshooter from outside, knocking down 56.3% of her attempts beyond the arc and ranking second on the team with 12.3 points per game. 

Following the weekend's non-conference finale, the Captains will turn their attention to the 2018-19 Capital Athletic Conference slate starting on Wednesday, January 2. CNU will host York (Pa.) in their conference opener at 4:00 pm at the Freeman Center.