RALEIGH, N.C. -- Playing in the 2023 calendar year for the first time on Monday afternoon, the turn of the page did nothing to slow the nationally-ranked CNU women's basketball team as the Captains rolled to their ninth wire-to-wire victory of the season, 94-52, at Meredith College (1-9). Christopher Newport improved to 13-0 on the season as four different Captains finished in double figures against the Avenging Angels. 

Leading the way off the bench was Alivia Giles with 16 points (5-6 FG) and six rebounds, while also dishing three assists, grabbing three steals, and adding one blocked shot. The reserves supplied an impressive 62 points in the game with fifth-year senior Lauren Fortescue adding 13 points, including 11 in the first half, and rookie McKenna Snively adding a season-best 10 points with a pair of three-pointers. 

All 15 eligible Captains played at least nine minutes in the game and all 15 had at least one rebound. Giles led the way with six while starter Hannah Kaloi also hauled in six boards for CNU. 

While the bench did the bulk of the work in the game the starting five contributed 32 points combined including another double-figure scoring performance for senior Sondra Fan, with 13. Anaya Simmons added nine points and four boards while Kaloi chipped in three. In place of injured starter Gabbi San Diego, classmate Camille Malagar drew the starting spot for the Captains on Monday and finished with seven points, two assists, and just one turnover in 18 minutes of action. 

Christopher Newport raced out to a 24-7 lead after the first quarter and built the halftime advantage to 46-18 while leaning on the Captains relentless defense. CNU forced 15 first half turnovers and snared eight steals while smothering the Meredith attack with full court pressure.

In the second half, the Captains built the lead to as many as 44 (69-25) on a nice feed from Giles to Fortescue for a layup. The advantage grew to a game-high 47 points (81-34) in the fourth quarter when Hailey Kellogg buried a three-pointer to punctuate a 10-0 run to start the final frame. Alexia Lindsey added a traditional three-point play later in the period and Kellogg sank her second triple of the quarter moments later. 

As a team, Christopher Newport shot 46.6 percent (34-73) from the field including burying 10 three-pointers in the game. CNU outrebounded the Angels, 41-27, and snagged 14 offensive rebounds. 

Wednesday's game at Division I Maryland Eastern Shore has been canceled due to a scheduling conflict so the Captains next outing will come this weekend at Washington and Lee University (9-3). CNU will travel to Lexington, Va. to take on the Generals on Sunday, January 8 at 3:00 p.m.