NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Playing at home for likely the final time in their careers, Christopher Newport University women's basketball seniors Jasmine Norman and Bailey Hodges said goodbye to the Freeman Center with an 86-56 victory over Southern Virginia University (0-3) in an exhibition matchup on Thursday night. Norman was one of four Captains in double figures and Hodges controlled the court throughout the contest while adding an assist, two steals and three rebounds. 

Prior to the matchup against the Knights, Norman and Hodges were honored for their service with the women's basketball team over the last four seasons. The duo have been integral pieces to a pair of conference championship teams as well as three consecutive NCAA Sweet Sixteen finishes. 

On Thursday night, Norman kicked things off with a quick take to the basket to open the scoring and added a soft jumper in the lane two possessions later. Thanks to the quick start, the Captains never trailed in the game; after a Barrett Jessop jumper in the lane cut the Captains lead to one, 14-13, with three minutes left in the first, the Captains raced to the quarter buzzer on a 13-0 run to take a 14-point lead, 27-13. 

By halftime, CNU had a 43-28 advantage and kept adding to their lead as the night progressed. Powered by its suffocating defense, the Captains outscored the Knights, 43-28, again in the second half for the final score of 86-56. CNU forced 30 Southern Virginia turnovers with 22 steals and held the opponents to just 31.1% shooting. 

Sophomore Anaya Simmons led the Captains with a 13 point performance on 6-of-7 shooting in 18 minutes of play. Natalie Terwilliger (11 pts), Sondra Fan (10 pts), and Norman (10 pts) rounded out the double-figure scoring in a game that saw 14 different players record at least one made field goal. Simmons also added four rebounds and four steals. 

Christopher Newport will return to action on Saturday, February 27 as they travel to Averett University for a game just added to the schedule on Thursday. The Captains will face the Cougars in exhibition action starting at 3:00 p.m.