WINCHESTER, Va. -- Junior guard Lauren Gural filled the stat sheet and set a new career-high with 20 points en route to a double-double as she helped the No. 3 Captains get past Shenandoah University in the USA South Athletic Conference opener tonight, 74-62. CNU improves to 4-0 this season, while the Hornets drop to 2-4 overall.

Gural's career-high 20 points came on 6-of-8 shooting and an impressive 8-of-10 night from the free-throw line. She added 10 rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block for CNU as she played in 36 minutes for head coach Carolyn Hunter.

Both teams were red-hot from the field in the first half, but turnovers plagued both the Hornets and Captains. CNU shot 51.5% from the field (17-33) in the first 20 minutes and Shenandoah was at 47.1% (16-34), but a combined 25 turnovers limited possessions. The score was tied at 38 at the break, as Shenandoah knocked down four three-pointers in the first half alone.

In the second, the Hornets held a lead for over 12 minutes, before a Chelsie Schweers jumper tied it at 55 with 7:33 remaining. From that point on, CNU would not trail again. The Captains closed on a 25-9 and the defense stymied the Hornets, who only managed 26.7% from the field in the second half (8-30).

Schweers led all scorers with 23points, while Gural's double-double were the difference for CNU. Junior Kimmy Hopkins was also in double figures, with 155 points.

Shenandoah was led by Mandy Johnston, who drained four three-pointers and had 14 points in the game. She added three assists and three rebounds for the Hornets, while Sam Akers was the only other player in double figures, with 12 points.

CNU has now won eight straight against Shenandoah, dating back to the 2007 season. The Captains will now head home for a pair of USA South contests against Peace College (Dec. 4 @ 2:00 pm) and Meredith College (Dec. 12 @ 2:00 pm).