NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Behind another stifling defensive performance, the sixth-ranked Christopher Newport women's basketball team improved to 14-0 with an 80-44 victory Wednesday night, taking down St. Mary's College of Maryland (4-10, 2-5) in a Capital Athletic Conference matchup. The Captains are now 14-0, 7-0, keeping pace atop the league standings after holding the Seahawks to just 28.4% shooting in the game. 

With the win, the Captains extended their season-opening win streak to 14 games, marking the second finest start to a season in program history. In 2009-10, the Captains won their first 30 games before finally suffering their lone setback of the season in the NCAA Sweet 16. 

The 44 points allowed were the second fewest this season, as the nationally-ranked CNU defense was stellar for most of the game. After enduring a quick spurt to start the contest that saw St. Mary's knock down four of their first seven shots to take an early six-point lead, 13-7, the Captains defense locked down for the final 34+ minutes of action to the tune of just 23% shooting (9-39). In the second, third, and fourth quarters, the Seahawks managed no more than three made field goals, including a 2-for-12 second stanza that saw the Captains take a stranglehold on the game. 

After St. Mary's senior Nina Haller knocked down the first shot of the second quarter, Christopher Newport went on a big run. Haller put St. Mary's up, 18-17, with a jumper 17 seconds into the second quarter, but CNU took control with a 19-5 run to end the first half with a 13-point lead, 36-23. In addition to holding the Seahawks to just two made field goals in the period, the Captains forced six turnovers with four steals, and absolutely dominated the glass by a tally of 22-8 in the second quarter. 

With the momentum, the Captains came out in the third quarter with a similar tenacity on the defensive side, forcing eight turnovers in 10 minutes, picking up six more steals. On the offensive end, CNU scored 22 points in the third, powered by a six-point, four-rebound quarter by junior Jessica Daguilh.

As the lead continued to increase, the Captains were able to extend the bench in the fourth quarter, as only one player logged more than 19 minutes in Wednesday's game. CNU rookie reserves Stephanie Seaman and Erin Carroll each scored seven points, while Carroll had a terrific performance on the defensive end with three steals. Jasmine Bonivel had six points and six rebounds, and rookie Micah Maloney added a quick five points and five rebounds off the bench as well. Senior Savannah Melvin picked up a nifty assist out of the paint on the Captains' final shot of the game when Carroll buried a three-pointer from the corner, putting the final score at 80-44. 

For the second straight game, three Captains led the way in the scoring column as Devon Byrd, Makenzie Fancher and Anitra Thomas all finished the game with 10 points. Thomas also led the team on the defensive end with four steals, while Carroll, Byrd and Sam Porter each grabbed three steals to lead a strong overall team performance defensively. 

Christopher Newport will look to remain unbeaten this Saturday, January 14 as they travel to Penn State Harrisburg for a 1:00 pm tipoff.