SALEM, Va. -- Returning to the hardwood for the first time in exactly two weeks, the fifth-ranked Christopher Newport women's basketball team will look to stoke the flames of one of the hottest runs in program history as they travel to the Susan Dunagan Holiday Classic on Wednesday and Thursday of this week. The Captains (11-0) will take on Lynchburg at 7:00 p.m. on a neutral floor before facing the host Roanoke College Maroons on Thursday at 5:00 p.m.

Christopher Newport will play both contests at the Cregger Center in Salem, Va. with live stats and live video available for all the action. The fourth team in the Classic format tournament will be Elizabethtown, set to face Roanoke at 5:00 pm on Wednesday to kick off the event. 

Heading into the second semester kickoff, the Captains won 11 straight to open the year in November and December. CNU is riding a 28-game winning streak, just two shy of the program record, and second in the nation to only Hope College's 55-game roll. Doing it in dominant fashion, the Captains rank second nationally in scoring margin, defeating opponents by an average of 44.0 points per game this season. 

Prior to the holiday break, the Captains dispatched of N.C. Wesleyan, 82-58, on December 15 for their last action. It marked the 10th time this season that an opponent has scored 61 points or fewer against the vaunted CNU defense, which continues to stymie opposing attacks. CNU ranks second in steals and third in turnovers forced per game while holding their 11 opponents thus far to just 50.8 points per game, ranking in the top-30 nationally. 

While the defense continues to churn up opponents, the Captains' attack has converted on the offensive end in historic fashion as well. Leading the country in field goal percentage by a full percentage point, the Captains also rank first in assists, turnover margin, and second in scoring offense, averaging 94.8 points per game. 

So far, senior guard Sondra Fan has led the way averaging 15.9 points per game in just under 17 minutes per contest. She ranks 18th nationally in field goal percentage, knocking down over 56.9% of her shots, but is fourth amongst players listed as guards on the roster. She has been particularly dangerous from beyond the arc, ranking third nationally with a 50% clip from long range. 

Also showing off her efficient shooting stroke has been forward Anaya Simmons, ranking third overall with a 63.4% mark from the field. She is averaging 12-and-a-half points per game this year as one of three Captains' pouring in double figures despite a deep rotation of players this season. Senior forward Natalie Terwilliger is the third, adding 10.1 points per game in nine showings so far, while also leading the team in blocked shots with 17. 

CNU will first take on Lynchburg in the tournament, who comes into the contest with a 6-3 overall record. The Captains have won 11 straight against the Hornets while owning a 12-2 advantage in the all-time series. This will be the first time the two teams have faced off on a neutral court. 

On Thursday, the Captains take on Roanoke, who is receiving votes in both the WBCA and D3hoops.com Top 25 polls. The Maroons are 8-0 and have not played since December 11 when they toppled Lynchburg, 69-58. CNU has not faced Roanoke since November 16, 2014 when Roanoke captured a 74-62 win on a neutral court to snap a seven-game run by the Captains in the series. The all-time matchup slightly favors the Captains, 13-11, dating back to the first matchup in 1979. 

Following the two games in Salem, the Captains will travel to Mary Baldwin University on January 4 before making a trip to New York City to face St. Joseph's College - Brooklyn and Pratt Institute on January 8-9. Spectators will be prohibited at all three contests.