VIRGINIA BEACH --Brittany Glasco gave Virginia Wesleyan College a 61-60 lead over Christopher Newport University with 1:02 remaining to be played Monday, but the host Marlins could not find the basket the rest of the way.

A jumper by Nicole Mitchell (Falls Church/George Mason) returns the lead the visiting Captains who went on to post a hard-fought 64-61 victory in the annual battle between the Hampton Roads rivals.  The victory keeps CNU undefeated at 8-0, while Virginia Wesleyan closes the 2012 portion of its schedule at 5-5.

Helped by a scrappy defense that forced 26 CNU turnovers, the Marlins led through most of the first half and posted a 31-27 advantage at halftime.  Six points from sophomore Nancy Kelly (Phoenix, Md./Dulaney) and timely triples from sophomores Sarah Seipp (Gaithersburg, Md./Gaithersburg) and Andrea Paphites (Virginia Beach/Princess Anne) helped VWC to take its largest lead at 45-35 with 14:46 remaining to be played.

But CNU, led by Tia Perry (Goldsboro, N.C./Tabb, Va.) and Mitchell battled back and eventually took the lead at 52-51 on a jumper by Camry Green (Richmond/Richmond Community) with 8:43 on the clock. 

The Captains pushed out to a lead of five points at 3:34, only to see the Marlins come back behind Seipp, Glasco (Fredericksburg/Massaponax) and junior Katie Tassa (Bristow/Manassas Osbourn Park), who hit a big triple with 1:19 on the clock.  A traditional three-point play by Glaso gave VWC the lead at 61-60 with 1:02 remaining.

Free throw shooting helped CNU's cause as the Captains nailed 21-of-20 attempts, led by Perry's 10-of-10 showing and Mitchell's 7-of-7 effort.  VWC hit 11-of-15, led by Kelly and Seipp at 4-of-5 each.

Seipp led VWC scoring with 15 points, followed by Glasco with 13 and Kelly with 12.  Tassa led VWC rebounding with six.  Seipp and Glasco produced four steals each and junior Symonne Newsome (Reistertown, Md./St. Paul's School for Girls) contributed with five assists.

Perry finished with 24 points for CNU, followed by Mitchell with 17.  Green led the Captains on the boards with nine rebounds.

Virginia Wesleyan competes again on Jan. 1, 2013, hosting North Carolina Wesleyan College at 2 p.m.

--AMDG--