NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- A mere hours after finding out that long-time Director of Athletics C.J. Woollum had lost his battle to cancer, the 24th-ranked Christopher Newport women's basketball team stepped on the court named in his honor and paid tribute to him in the best way they could, with a 96-32 drubbing of North Carolina Wesleyan. The Captains (19-2, 12-2) ran away from the Bishops (9-12, 8-6), pulling into a second place tie in the USA South Standings with Maryville College.

C.J. Woollum Court in the Freeman Center was named such in honor of the man who spent 26 seasons on its sideline. Woollum earned over 500 wins as the head men's basketball coach and also served as the leader for the entire program's transformation into a national power. His leadership as Director of Athletics for more than 25 years affected thousands of student-athletes, coaches and colleagues. 

On Wednesday night, the Captains raced out to a huge lead after the opening tip and never looked back. CNU held the Bishops to just two points in the opening 9:40, cruising to a 21-2 advantage halfway through the first stanza. Five minutes later the lead was 35, as CNU opened the game scoring 42 of the first 49 points. By halftime, the lead was an insurmountable 40, as the Captains led 53-13 headed into the locker room. 

Defensively, CNU held North Carolina Wesleyan to just four made field goals in the first 20 minutes, going 4-for-40 from the field. That mark included an 0-for-10 line from long range as the Bishops hit just 10% of their shots.

On the other end of the floor, CNU was scorching, hitting 52.8% of their shots (19-36), with two players, Tia Perry & Nicole Mitchell, already in double figures. Mitchell was especially terrific, knocking down 5-of-7 attempts for 12 points and adding five rebounds and three assists. 

The lead would reach 57 just eight minutes into the second half, as CNU came out of the locker room as hot as they went in. The Captains opened the second half on a 22-5 run to make the lead 75-18. Rookie Brandi Holland led the surge, knocking down a three-pointer at the 11:55 mark for the huge advantage. 

As the Captains cleared the bench, everyone got into the action. All 14 CNU players logged double-figure minutes and all 14 players found their way into the scoring column. Sophomore Brittney Speed  more than doubled her career high, scoring seven points on a perfect 3-for-3 night from the field. Rookie Anika Trent added eight points and three rebounds, and La'Shay Lucas added five points and four rebounds. 

Four Captains finished in double figures, as sophomore Camry Green led the impressive performance with 17 points and 14 rebounds for her 10th double-double of the year. Mitchell finished with 12 points, Holland added 11 and Perry chipped in an even 10 points in just 16 minutes of action. As a team, the Captains shot 48% in the game, knocking down 36-of-75 attempts. 

The defense forced N.C. Wesleyan to hit just 15.9% from the floor (11-69), including a 1-for-21 performance from three-point land. Shanice Goree led all Bishops with 12 points, and only two Bishops had more than one made field goal. Samantha Urquhart was the other, adding eight points in a 3-for-9 performance. 

Tonight's win, paired with a Maryville College loss, moved the Captains into a tie for second in the USA South standings. The victory gives CNU a regular season split against the Battling Bishops, as they avenge an earlier loss at N.C. Wesleyan, 69-68.

Christopher Newport will next take on Greensboro College (11-9, 7-7) Saturday, Feb 9 at 2:00 pm, and Methodist University (15-6, 10-4) Sunday, Feb 10 at 2:00 pm. Live stats and video will be available.

For more information on Coach Woollum's passing, return to the main CNUsports.com page.