VIRGINIA BEACH -- Several factors could have contributed to Virginia Wesleyan College's 68-36 loss to No. 7 Christopher Newport University in Thursday's non-conference basketball game at the Jane P. Batten Student Center.

But, VWC head coach Stephany Dunmyer could have put a finger one on factor very easily...shooting percentage.

While CNU (8-1) hit 49% from the field for the game, including 60% in the first half, Virginia Wesleyan (4-5) hit a frigid 16% overall, including just 13% in the second half.  The Marlins put up 23 shots in the second half and hit only three.

Shots were there all night for the Marlins, who watched three-point attempts bounce off the rim, layups roll over the hoop and jump shots fall short repeatedly.  When the final buzzer sounded, the Marlins had 55 shots to their credit, just four less than CNU.  But, the Captains had 29 shots for points, while VWC managed just nine.  Five of those were three-pointers.

Ironically, despite the cold night, the Marlins stayed within range of the Captains throughout the first half.  VWC trailed just 21-16 with 8:18 remaining in the half, before CNU started to create some distance with the help of Babara Davis (Catharpin, Va./Stonewall Jackson) inside.  The Captains led just 38-26 at halftime and saw the Marlins cut that lead to nine when junior Beth Ann Boyce (Colonial Heights, Va./Colonial Heights) hit a triple to open second half scoring.

After that, the chill set in as far as VWC shooting was concerned.  The Marlins scored with 19:33 on the clock and did not hit another field goal until the 10:49 mark when junior Kristen Blalock (Suffolk, Va./Portsmouth Christian)scored on a jumper.  But, while VWC played without a basket for nearly 10 minutes, CNU scored 16 points to pull away.  Cheslie Schweers (Chesapeake, Va./Hickory) hit for seven points in the run and Lauren Gural (Chantilly, Va./Chantilly) added four points.

Blalock's basket at the 10:49 mark of the second half was the last for the Marlins until 20 seconds remained to be played.  Junior Jocelyn Spencer (Newport News, Va./Hampton Roads Academy) rolled in for a layup for the Marlins to end the drought.

While CNU hit 11 baskets in the second half, VWC hit just three.

Free throw shooting provided the lone bright spot of the night for the Marlins, who nailed 13-of-16 attempts.  CNU connected on just 6-of-13 freebie attempts.  The Captains finished with the advantage on the backboards, 45-33, led by Davis with eight.  Blalock led all rebounding with 11.  She also led VWC scoring with nine points.

Schweers finished with 15 points for CNU and Kimmy Hopkins (Gainesville, Va./Brentsville) added 12.

--AMDG--