NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The Captains scored 50 points in the paint and grabbed 50 rebounds as they won their fifth straight home opener, taking a 72-57 decision over Virginia Wesleyan (2-1). Christopher Newport improved to 4-0 to start the season, led in today's game by sophomore Tia Perry with 17 points and six rebounds.

The Marlins came in unbeaten in two games to open the season and provided the Captains with a solid test in the first half. Virginia Wesleyan held the lead to just three at the break, at 31-28, led by Sarah Seipp off the bench with nine points. Shawnee Lewis was 4-for-4 from the charity stripe, finishing the half with six points

Senior Kimmy Hopkins led the charge for CNU in the first half, scoring 12 points on 6-of-8 shooting, while sophomore forward Nicole Mitchell hauled in a team-high seven rebounds. CNU held the Marlins to just eight points in the paint in the first half, outscoring the road team down low, 22-8.

Christopher Newport came out of the locker room firing, opening up a 12-poin lead just over five minutes into the second half. Senior guard Jerlisa Bowser led the run, knocking down a three-pointer to start the half, followed by a free-throw and layup to score the first six points of the half for CNU. She added a jumper with 14:57 remaining and Perry capped the run with a fast-break layup to run the score to 47-35 with 14:31 showing.

CNU continued to add to the lead on a short jumper and a put-back by rookie Camry Green on back-to-back possessions. A pair of free-throws from Perry and the Captains lead was 15 at 56-41.

A 10-2 run the other way pulled Va. Wesleyan back within seven, but that would be as close as the Marlins would get as the Captains closed on a 14-6 run of their own to win, 72-57.

CNU pounded the paint all night, scoring 50 points between the blocks and outscoring the Marlins in the paint, 50-18. The Captains held a decided 50-36 edge on the glass, including 16 offensive boards that led to 12 second-change points.

Perry's 17 points came on 6-of-10 shooting, including a team-best 5-of-9 from the free-throw line. Hopkins added a season-high 16 on 8-of-12 from the floor and Bowser rounded out the double figures scoring with 13 points. Mitchell finished the day with a game-high 15 rebounds.

Virginia Wesleyan's leader was Seipp, scoring 10 points while hauling in seven rebounds, while Kristen Blalock added 10 points and eight rebounds for the Marlins.

CNU will return to action this Wednesday, November 30 at 7:00 pm as they open the USA South regular season schedule at home against Mary Baldwin College.