NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Christopher Newport improved to 5-0 overall today with a dominant win over Mary Baldwin College (2-2) in the USA South Conference opener, 68-39. The Captains defense held the Fighting Squirrels to just 20.7% shooting (12-58) and grabbed 13 steals with 12 blocks in the game.

The Captains raced out to a 15-0 lead to start the game, led by a pair of three-pointers from senior Jerlisa Bowser. CNU led by as many as 25 in the opening stanza as the Captains depth was evident early.

The halftime lead was 35-13, as Mary Baldwin was held to just 5-of-32 from the field for 15.6% shooting. On the other side of the ball, CNU shot a scorching 53.8% on 14-of-26 shooting, including 5-of-6 from long-range.

The Captians shooting would improve in the second half, dropping 16-of-29 shots in the final 20 minutes for 55.2% shooting. Senior Kimmy Hopkins and sophomore Tia Perry led the scoring effort with 10 points apiece.

The game would feature extremely balanced output from the Captains offense, as only one player finished with over 20 minutes played in the game and 12 different players factored into the scoring.

Sophomore guard Andrea Hobbs had a solid night facilitating the offense, scoring six points on 3-of-3 shooting while dishing out a game- and career-high seven assists. She added three steals and a block for the Captains. Junior Kelly Halverson poured in nine points with five rebounds and a pair of blocks off the bench.

As a whole, the Captains defense had 13 thefts, led by Hopkins, Bowser and Hobbs with three apiece. CNU added 12 blocks, with four different players swatting two.

Mary Baldwin got a game-high 19 points from Sabrina Desper, and Crystal Lewis grabbed seven rebounds with three steals for the Squirrels.

The Captains will return to action on Saturday, December 3 as they take on Methodist University in conference action. The game is a part of the Captains Toy Drive and fans are encouraged to bring a new and unwrapped toy for free admission to the game. Tip is set for 2:00 pm.