NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- In their final home regular season game, the Captains seniors stepped up and delivered a memorable swan song, scoring 45 points and grabbing 25 rebounds combined as #13 Christopher Newport (22-3, 16-2) ended Greensboro's hopes at a perfect season, snapping the Pride's win streak at 24 with a 61-48 win.
Seniors Chelsie Schweers (21 pts, 8 reb), Jessica Moore (15 pts, 6 reb) and Barbara Davis (9 pts, 11 reb) were the driving force behind the Captains dominant effort over the 10th ranked team in the country. CNU, the #2 seed in the upcoming USA South Conference Tournament, will host #7 seeded Mary Baldwin in the opening round on Tuesday, February 22 at 5:30 pm.
Before the game, Athletic Director C.J. Woollum and head coach Carolyn Hunter presented Schweers with a framed #11 jersey and announced that the school will retire the number in women's basketball. Hers is just the fourth in CNU history to be retired, joining #10 Karen Barefoot, #12 Misty Hart and #13 Pam Stewart.
CNU had a three-point lead at halftime, 26-23, after both teams struggled from the field. CNU shot just 35.3% on 12-34 shooting and the Pride managed just 25.6% from the field on 10-39 shooting. Greensboro outrebounded the Captains int he first half, 27-25.
Greensboro challenged CNU early in the second half, tying the game at 33 with 14:51 remaining on a three-popinter from Nikki Wilborn, and again at 35 on a Wilborn layup with 14:02 remaining. The Captains, though, answered with a 24-10 run over the next 13 minutes to put the game out of reach with a minute remaining.
Schweers was held without a three-pointer for the first time in over 50 games, but still led all scorers with 21 points on 8-18 shooting. She added eight rebounds and a pair of steals for CNU. Lauren Gural had a stellar game on the glass, hauling in 12 rebounds. The junior guard/forward added eight points, two assists, a block and steal.
Greensboro was led by Danielle Duncan and Wilborn, as each recorded a double-double. Duncan finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds, while Wilborn added 10 points and 11 rebounds. Jada Alvarado had 13 rebounds and Chevena Pickard rounded out the double-digit scoring with 12 points.
With the win, the Captains avenged a four-point loss from earlier this season that snapped a record conference winning streak for CNU, that had reached 27 straight wins.
CNU's defense continued to impress, holding Greensboro to just 26% shooting and forcing 11 turnovers. CNU shot 39.1% from the field in the game, despite a season-low 12.5% from long-range on 1-8 shooting.
The Captains will play in a USA South opening round double header this Tuesday, playing host to Mary Baldwin at 5:30 pm. Live stats and video will be available at CNUsports.com.