DANVILLE, Va. -- Three Christopher Newport players reached double figures and all fifteen Captains scored in a 91-66 win on the road Wednesday night as the third-ranked CNU women's basketball team opened the season with a win at Averett University (0-1). The Captains were led by 13 points from Alivia Giles while rookie Mia Wilson and sophomore Ashley Steadman each poured in 10 points. 

The Captains took nearly 35 more shots than the home team in the season-opening victory, burying 33 field goals on 83 attempts for a 39.9 percent shooting effort in gmae one. The Cougars also shot just under 39 percent on 19-of-49 shooting, but 27 offensive rebounds and 39 forced turnovers helped CNU limit Averett chances in the contest. 

Fifteen players saw action in the first game of the year and all fifteen, including six playing in their first ever collegiate game, scored at least one field goal and hauled in at least one rebound. Christopher Newport showcased it's usual fast-paced depth and suffocating defense as no starter logged more than 11 minutes played and all but two Captains were on the floor for at least 10 minutes in the game. 

Both teams were at the free-throw line often, combining for 48 fouls and 58 free-throw attempts in the game. Rookie Mia Wilson went to the line for a game-high 12 attempts, connecting on eight to help lead her to a 10-point debut. McKenna Snively (2-2), Gabbi San Diego (2-2), and Alivia Giles (3-3) were all perfect from the charity stripe while Hailey Kellogg (4-6) and Jessica Dornak (2-4) added multiple makes with the clock stopped. 

Off the bench, Ashley Steadman had a well-rounded season debut with 10 points, seven rebounds, and two blocked shots in 18 minutes played. Steadman was 4-for-8 from the field including 2-for-5 from beyond the arc. Julia Schutz and Nicole Timko each connected from long range as well, as each were playing in their first collegiate game; both finished with seven points. 

Christopher Newport led by as many as 16 on the road to start the third quarter before Averett responded to trim the lead to seven (55-48) with just under three and a half minutes remaining in the third quarter. From there, the Captains took control again with a steal by Hannah Orloff leading to a fast-break layup by Alexia Lindsey and a four straight made free throws by Mia Wilson. Timko and Wilson added two more field goals to end the third quarter and re-take a 15-point lead, 66-51. 

The run would continue to start the fourth quarter as the sophomore class caught fire. Steadman started it off with a jumper, assisted by Snively, before Hailey Kellogg knocked in a jumper on the next possession. Faith Henderson delivered a layup before Snively finished a run-out to make it a 20-point lead, 74-54, with 7:26 remaining. Finally, Henderson tickled the twine and the Captains' defense forced another turnover which led to a triple by Steadman, assisted by Kellogg. The talented second-year class was responsible for all 13 points in the roll that saw CNU take a 25-point lead, 79-54, with under seven minutes to play. 

CNU will return to action this weekend at the Jean Edge Classic hosted by North Carolina Wesleyan University. The Captains will first take on Emory University at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 11 before also facing Maryville College (Tenn.) at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 12.