ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. -- Through the first three games this season the nationally-ranked Christopher Newport women's basketball team was averaging 87 points per game. On Saturday afternoon in game number four, that number continues to rise as another exceptional scoring performance lifted the Captains (4-0) to a 98-78 win over Johnson & Wales (NC) in the 2024 Jean Edge Classic hosted by North Carolina Wesleyan. 

The Captains were led by senior Camille Malagar with a season-high 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field. She connected on three of five shots from beyond the arc and added one assist, one rebound, and one steal in her 15 minutes of action. The rest of the CNU attack featured its patented balance with all but three players getting into the scoring column and five Captains logging nine-point performances against the Wildcats. 

The group of five CNU players included senior Alexia Lindsey (3-5), junior Hailey Kellogg (3-5), sophomore Elizabeth Creed (3-4), and rookies Katerina Dakos (4-7) and Madison McKenzie (4-7). The efficient scoring performance from the aforementioned six helped lead Christopher Newport to an impressive 53.6 percent (37-69) effort as a team. Inside the arc, Christopher Newport was 29-for-40, knocking down an unconscionable 72.5 percent. 

Adding to the impressive offensive performance was the ability to move the basketball as the Captains poured in 23 assists on 37 made baskets versus Johnson and Wales. Lindsey and senior Gabbi San Diego led the way with four assists each while Lindsey also added three steals on the defensive end. Also dishing multiple assists was Mia Wilson, picking up three, and Sydney Sherman, Hannah Kaloi, Creed and Kellogg each with a pair. 

The Captains built a 53-38 lead at halftime and extended to as many as 23 in the second half. A steal and fast-break run out by McKenzie with just over two minutes remaining gave the Captains a 96-73 advantage before a fast-break jumper by rookie Ella Negron rounded out the near-triple digit scoring effort. 

With the offense firing on all cylinders, the defense had another solid performance creating turnovers against the Wildcats. CNU forced 35 turnovers, marking the fourth consecutive game that opponents have reached that total against the vaunted Captains defense. 

The Captains will return to action in the Jean Edge Classic on day two against No. 6 Johns Hopkins (2-0), who captured a 101-46 win over Averett on Saturday afternoon. Tip against the Blue Jays is slated for 3:00 p.m.