NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- After holding Methodist University (13-11, 11-6) to just seven first half points and 8.8% shooting, the Captains defense didn't let up in the second and allowed the fifth fewest points against since the first two years of the program. CNU improved to 21-3 overall this season, 15-2 in USA South action as the Captains rolled past Methodist, 75-28. 

Defense has been key for the Captains this season, as CNU has held four different opponents to 10 or fewer points in a half this season. The seven points allowed is the fewest all season and among the best all-time at Christopher Newport. For the game, the Captains allowed just 28 points against, tying the fifth best mark since the 1974-75 season.

After Dawn Sanderson hit a jumper with just 3:15 into the game, the Monarchs were held without a point for 14:30 in the first half, not adding to their score until the 2:15 mark on a Christina Schrader jumper. 

Christopher Newport jumped out to a 30-point lead at halftime, powered by the shooting of senior Chelsie Schweers, scoring 17 points in the first 20 minutes. Jerlisa Bowser added six points for the Captains at the break, while Iesha Hayes hit a three-pointer to lead for the Monarchs.

In the second half, the Captains were able to spread the floor and get all but one player into the scorebook. Rookie Chantal Thomas played 15 minutes and scored a career-high 10 points on 4-of-4 shooting, adding a pair of assists and two steals. Schweers finished with 25 points including five trey's. With her performance, Schweers eclipsed the 2,600 point mark and moved into fourth all-time in NCAA Division III Women's Basketball scoring. She passed Laurie Trow (St. Thomas) with 2,607 and now has 2,609 in her career. 

Sanderson led the way for Methodist, scoring 11 points on 4-11 shooting, adding seven rebounds. Hayes was the only other Monarch player to have more than one made field goal, scoring eight points in the game for Methodist. The team struggled from the field, hitting just 16.7% of shots on 11-66 shooting.

Christopher Newport shot 53.8% from the field on 28-52 shooting, including 6-9 from three-point land. CNU outrebounded Methodist by a 47-36 count.

The Captains prepare for a big nationally ranked battle on Saturday as they play host to undefeated and 10th ranked Greensboro College in the regular season finale. It will be senior night in the Freeman Center and tip is set for 4:00 pm. Fans are encouraged to arrive early for a special senior night presentation as the Captains seniors (Schweers, Jessica Moore, andBarbara Davis) are honored in their final regular season home game.