NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Guard play dominated the action for the nationally-ranked Christopher Newport women's basketball team on Wednesday night, as the Captains (14-2, 8-1) put together one of it's most impressive performances of the season in a 98-43 win over Mary Washington (7-9, 6-3). Four CNU guards finished in double figures, and two flirted with double-doubles as the Captains ran their home win streak to 11 games. 

The starting backcourt of Zhara Tannor and Makenzie Fancher, along with swing Bailey Dufrene, combined for 41 points, 16 rebounds, 17 assists, and 13 steals in an impressive showing. Tannor fell just one rebound shy of a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds, and Fancher was two dimes shy of her first career double-double with 16 points and 8 assists. The two primary ball-handlers had just one turnover between them and finished the game with a 13:1 assist-to-turnover ratio. 

The 55-point victory is the most lopsided victory for either team in the 49-game history of the all-time series. CNU's largest margin of victory prior to Wednesday night was a 49-point victory (107-58) during the 1996-97 season. Wednesday's win, played in front of over 400 fans in the Freeman Center, tied the third largest win in the building's history, dating back to the 2000-01 season. 

The Captains stifling defense caused Mary Washington fits throughout the night, but particularly in the first half when CNU build a 53-13 advantage heading into the locker room. The 13 points allowed was the fewest in a single half this season as the Captains forced 21 turnovers and held the Eagles to just 3-of-23 from the field. 

CNU opened the matchup with a 24-3 start to the game, highlighted by an impressive shooting performance by Fancher. The senior knocked down all three of her three-point attempts in the first quarter to lead the scoring with 11 points. Jordan Pamlanye interrupted the Captains' run with the team's second field goal with 2:04 remaining, but CNU would extend the lead to 40 prior to the intermission as the Captains defense continued to force Mary Washington turnovers. 

On the offensive end, CNU shot 47.4% from the field in the first half (18-38) while holding Mary Washington to just 13%. The Eagles took 11 shots from beyond the arc, but connected just once, while CNU was 7-for-15 from long range for a 46.7% effort. Fancher added a fourth three-pointer in the second quarter to lead all scorers with 12 points. 

In the third quarter, the Eagles bounced back to win the frame, 21-19, but CNU answered by holding their conference rival to single digits again in the fourth quarter. The Captains outscored Mary Washington, 26-9, in the final frame to put away the blowout win. 

Off the bench, Kiana Kirkland put together a career-best performance by going 7-for-10 from the field to finish with a game-high 18 points. Fancher matched her season-high with 16 points while stuffing the stat sheet with 8 assists, 6 steals, and 4 rebounds. She was 5-for-7 in the game. Dufrene ranked third on the team in scoring with 15 points, while Tannor finished with 10 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals. 

Pamlanye led the way for the Eagles, grabbing 16 rebounds to go with her team-high eight points. Emily Thompson also had eight points off the bench despite a 1-for-8 shooting performance. 

The Captains knocked down a season-high 15 three-pointers in the game with nine different players registering at least one triple.

CNU will return to the court on Saturday, January 20 at 1:00 pm as they travel to Frostburg State University for the first game of the second half of CAC action.