NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Christopher Newport junior Kendra Rigo poured in a career-high 23 points to headline a dominant performance by the Captains reserves on Saturday afternoon as the nationally-ranked CNU women's basketball team rolled to a 98-30 win over Regent University (6-16) at home. Powered by Rigo and two more double-figure scoring performances, the Captains recorded 76 bench points in a win to help celebrate Senior Day with a win. 

Rigo finished the day with 23 points on an 8-for-12 shooting performance from the field. She knocked down five three-pointers to highlight her overall performance while also adding a 2-for-2 showing at the free-throw line. She was one of three Captains in double figures as rookies Sydney Richardson and Kaycee Doughty each poured in a dozen. 

In addition to the scoring, Doughty added a team-high eight points to fall just shy of a double-double while Richardson stuffed the stat sheet with seven rebounds, five steals, and three assists. In total, the trio were at the head of a bench scoring unit that included points from nine players including six underclassmen. Denniyah Tanner had a season-high seven points and paired them with five assists, also a personal high. 

The Captains shot 56.8 percent (21-37) in the second half and outscored Regent by a count of 53-15. That included a suffocating defensive fourth quarter as CNU held the visitors to just 1-of-15 from the floor in the final ten minutes. The relentless defensive pressure held the Royals to single digits in three of the four quarters. 

CNU raced out to a 25-9 lead after the opening quarter courtesy of an 18-2 run. The run was well balanced but Elizabeth Creed scored four of the 18 points and Rigo notched her first made field goal on a feed by Tanner. The run expaned to 38-8 through the second quarter as the Captains held Regent to just three made field goals in the period. Richardson and Rigo kept the pressure up and finished the second quarter with six points apiece. 

Carrying a 45-15 advantage into the halftime break, the Captains continued to add to the lead in the third. CNU outscored the visitors by 15 in the third quarter with Rigo ramping up her career performance from beyond the arc. She knocked down three of her five triples in the second half and scored 15 of her 23 points after halftime. 

Rookie Hazel Grepps got into the action utilizing her pesky defense and turning the Captains offense into a fast-break machine. She had three steals in the fourth quarter alongside three by Richardson in the third and the Captains scored 21 points off turnovers in the second half. Grepps finished out the game with eight points, a game-high six steals, and four rebounds while posting an impressive 4-for-6 showing at the plate. 

Rigo, a transfer from New Jersey City University, notched her first career 20-point game in her 68th career appearance and her her 19th game as a Captain. Her previous career high came with 18 points as a freshman at Delaware Valley. Richardson and Doughty also added career-high performances with 12 points apiece. 

As a team, CNU hauled in 60 rebounds and had a +26 advantage on the glass that included 29 offensive rebounds. Noelle Cabiness and Sarah Pritz each had six rebounds whlie Elizabeth Creed added five points to go with her nine points. 

Coasting to the win, Christopher Newport extended the lead to as many as 69 while playing in front of nearly 500 fans at the Freeman Center. Prior to the game, the Captains recognized seniors McKenna Snively and Hailey Kellogg for their contributions to the team over the last four years. On the court, the two celebrated Senior Day by pairing up for a thrilling fourth-quarter three-pointer as Kellogg set up Snively for her 115th career triple. The duo finished with six points, four rebounds, and three assists combined in limited action. 

The matchup against Regent was the penultimate home game of the season for the Captains who will close out the home slate on Tuesday, February 17 at 6:00 p.m. against Virginia University of Lynchburg.