FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- The fifth-ranked Christopher Newport Captains (15-1, 9-0) held off a surging Methodist University squad in the second half and overcame a tough shooting night to earn their ninth straight win, 69-61. Senior Chelsie Schweers finished with 27 points, including seven three-pointers, and rookie forward Nicole Mitchell hauled in a season-high 11 rebounds.

The Captains shot just 36.8% from the field in the first half and committed 21 turnovers in the game, but defensively held the Monarchs (8-8, 6-3) to just 29.2% shooting from the field in the game. It was the sixth game in the last seven that CNU held its opponent to under 30% shooting.

CNU led by as many as 12 in the first half, after a Schweers three-pointer with 1:07 remaining put the Captains up 35-23, but a 6-0 run to close out the half pulled Methodist back within six points. Emily Huneycutt led the way in the first for the Monarchs, scoring 11 points. Senior forward Jessica Moore was key in the run that put CNU up by double-digits, scoring nine straight points late in the first half.

While the Captains managed a much better shooting half in the second, knocking down 54.5% from the field, the Monarchs would not go away. CNU got the lead back to 10 on a layup from Mitchell with 13:33 remaining. Methodist answered, though, going on a 12-2 run over the next 5:15 to tie the game at 48 on a Brianna Robinson layup.

On the next Captains possession, CNU tried to stall the Monarchs run with a long three-pointer from the left side, but Methodist answered on the other end with a three from Jackie Lyles to tie it again at 51. After a CNU turnover, Methodist had three opportunities on the other end, but couldn't convert to take the lead, and a hustle play from Moore earned the Captains a steal and the ball. The momentum shifted back to CNU and the Captains went on a 6-0 run to open up a two-possession lead again.

Methodist cut it back to two, but Schweers knocked down another huge three-pointer with 3:27 remaining and then another with 1:07 remaining. With a six-point lead, Schweers would then throw a full-court pass on the inbounds to rookie Tiffany Davis, who converted an old-fashioned three-point play to put CNU up nine with less than a minute to go.

The Captains finished off Methodist for the 69-61 win, led by Schweers' 27 points. Schweers was 10-20 from the field including a 7-12 mark from long range. She added six rebounds and a pair of assists. Moore was the only other Captain in double figures, with 13 points, adding six rebounds. Mitchell's eight points and 11 rebounds off the bench rounded out the leaders for CNU.

Methodist's Jackie Lyles scored 16 and hauled in nine rebounds to lead the way, while Huneycutt finished with 14 points. 

CNU will  now head into a huge matchup with Greensboro on the road this Sunday, January 23 at 2:00 pm. The #5/6 Captains will take on the #21/25 Pride in a game that features the only unbeatens remaining in the USA South.