NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Behind a suffocating defensive effort that forced 40 turnovers, the 20th-ranked Christopher Newport women's basketball team led wire-to-wire against the Southern Virginia Knights (0-1) and pulled away for an 88-51 win at home. The Captains won the season opener convincingly, extending the program's win streak to 18 games after an over 600 day layoff. 

Senior forward Natalie Terwilliger set the tone with a three-pointer from the top of the key to open the season, kickstarting a terrific opening day for the Alexandria, Va. native. Terwilliger knocked down a pair of triples and hit 7 of her 10 shots overall to lead all scorers with 16 total points. One of three Captains in double figures, Terwilliger was joined by Phylicia McInnis with 13 and 12 out of Sondra Fan. 

The offensive numbers were exceptional, but it was the Captains chaotic defense that flustered the Knights from the outset. CNU held the visitors to just eight first-quarter points on 4-of-12 shooting; on the other end, CNU scored 25 points in the opening stanza while knocking down 10 shots and three from long range. The defense forced 11 turnovers that led to 17 points in the opening quarter. 

Junior Katy Rader also had a strong start for the Captains, knocking down a three-pointer with 4:19 left in the first quarter to give the Captains a double-digit lead they would never relinquish. The edge built to as many as 13 in the first quarter and up to 25 by halftime, 47-22. Rader had five points, three rebounds, and a blocked shot in the first half while Terwilliger led the team with 11 first-half points, 4 rebounds, a block and a steal. 

By halftime, the Captains defense had already forced 25 turnovers, scoring 32 of the team's 47 first-half points off giveaways. 

With the lead in hand, the Captains coasted to the 37-point victory at the Freeman Center on Saturday, shooting 40.5% (30-74) from the field with eight three-pointers made. CNU went to the line 29 times and knocked down 20 free-throws and outrebounded Southern Virginia, 42-39. The Captains snagged 27 steals, led by five from Sondra Fan and three apiece for rookies Hannah Kaloi and Lexi White. Every player in the home white uniform picked up at least one steal in the game and nine players had multiple thefts. 

All but one of the Captains' 13 active players got into the scoring column and the only player who didn't, Jessica Foster, dished out three assists and picked up a steal for CNU. Making her official collegiate debut, sophomore Alivia Giles had eight points on 4-of-6 shooting while fellow sophomore Gabbi San Diego added seven points and three helpers. The two second-year players appeared in the exhibition season in 2020-21 but Saturday's matinee against Southern Virginia served as the duos first official collegiate appearance. 

CNU has now won 18 straight games dating back to December 29, 2019 as the team closed out the campaign two years ago on a 17-game winning streak. The 18-game roll is the third longest in program history and is one win shy of tying the second-best streak set in 2016-17 with 19 straight. 

The victory also was the 199th career win for Bill Broderick as head coach at Christopher Newport. and the Captains will play for milestone win No. 200 on Tuesday, November 9 as they host Bridgewater College at 6:00 pm.