JERSEY CITY, N.J. – Behind a 25-point effort from from senior Anaya Simmons and a dominant defensive performance as a team, the nationally-ranked Christopher Newport women's basketball team improved to 20-0 on the season with an 88-64 victory at New Jersey City University on Sunday afternoon. The Captains forced 31 turnovers against the Gothic Knights (9-10) and capped a perfect 3-0 week while extending the nation's leading road winning streak to 29.

While adding to the road winning streak, which leads all divisions in both men's and women's basketball, the Captains also secured the 20th straight win overall this season to notch the third longest win streak in program history. 

Taking on the Gothic Knights for the first time in program history, the Captains' leaned on Division III's leader in field-goal percentage, Anaya Simmons, throughout the contest. Her 25 points came on 10 made field goals on just 14 attempts (.714). It was a balanced effort for Simmons, who scored nine in the first quarter, seven in the second, eight in the third, and four more in the final frame. 

She was one of four CNU players in double figures as Camille Malagar added 11 points, six rebounds, and four steals while Katy Rader and Alivia Giles added 13 and 10, respectively. 

The offense was opportunistic in the matchup as Christopher Newport scored 16 fast-break points and 35 points off of turnovers. The Captains forced 31 giveaways by New Jersey City, including a dominant fourth quarter that saw the Captains Chaos defense force 12 turnovers with half coming in the final 2:39. The late spurt led to a 25-9 final stanza that saw CNU double a 12-point halftime lead to the 24-point final margin, 88-64. 

One day after the Captains' bench scored 95 of 107 total points, it was the CNU starters that were dominant on Sunday. CNU got 63 points from the starting five as the group connected on 25 of the Captains' 33 made field goals. The first unit was also 10-for-13 from the free-throw line with 15 steals and 15 assists combined. 

Damaris Rodriguez led the way for the Gothic Knights, scoring 23 points with six rebounds and four assists. Jimmirah Johnson added a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. 

The contest opened with Rader burying a triple on the opening possession and one more three minutes later. She sank a buzzer-beating mid-range jumper to finish the opening period with eight points, which served as the difference after the first 10 minutes, 27-19. After the home team trimmed the lead to just four in the second quarter, a late spurt by the Captains managed to build the lead to 12. Hannah Orloff and Lauren Fortescue each joined Rader and Simmons on the final four buckets of the half. 

New Jersey City won the third quarter and again trimmed the Captains' lead to eight after the break, but the dominant fourth quarter would lead CNU to the win. The teams traded baskets for the first four minutes until the score was 69-61 with 6:03 remaining. CNU would close the game on a 19-3 run with an impressive display of defense as the Gothic Knights struggled to get the ball past half court against the tormenting pressure. 

Christopher Newport scored the last 11 points including six by Alivia Giles alone. Hailey Kellogg, Fortescue, Rader, and Orloff combined for five steals in the final two and a half minutes. 

The Captains will return to action next weekend as they host the C2C Showcase at the Freeman Center welcoming in UC Santa Cruz, Mary Washington, and Regent. CNU will take on Regent on Saturday, February 4 at 2:00 p.m. before facing the Banana Slugs at Noon on Sunday.