NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The Christopher Newport University women's basketball team used suffocating defense to earn a 75-29 victory at the Freeman Center over William Peace University.  With the win, the Captains finish the regular season at 20-5 overall and clinch a share of the USA South championship with a 15-3 record.

By virtue of the Captains' win, and a loss by Ferrum College on Saturday afternoon, CNU, Greensboro and Ferrum all complete the regular season as tri-champions with 15-3 records in conference play.  Ferrum will earn the top seed in the conference tournament after sweeping Greensboro during the regular season.  CNU will be the second seed and Greensboro will begin tournament play as the third seed.

CNU raced out to an early lead by playing stifling half-court defense against the Pacers.  After a Callie Yohn basket at the 17:15 mark in the first half, the Captains held Peace scoreless for almost eight minutes of game time.  At the end of the first half, the Pacers were shooting only 19% from the field on 5-27 shooting and trailed 41-13.

Senior guards Kimmy Hopkins and Jerlisa Bowser provided the initial spark shortly after they were recognized before their final home game as each made two quick three-pointers and staked the Captains to a large, early lead. 

Sophomore Forward led all scorers with 17 points and was joined in double figures by Hopkins who had 11, and two players off the bench: junior guard, Kelly Halverson and freshman center, Camry Green.  Halverson finished with 14 points while Green had another double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds.

CNU will return to action with a USA South Quarterfinal game on Tuesday at the Freeman Center.  The game will begin at 7:00 p.m. and the USA South will announce the opponent Saturday evening.  The game will streamed live on CNUsports.com.