NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Last season, the Marymount (Va.) University women's basketball team traveled down to No. 12 Christopher Newport University looking to close out the regular season as Capital Athletic Conference champions, and did just that, handing the Captains a 52-46 decision and their third loss of the season.
On Wednesday night, although the CAC championship title wasn't on the line, there was still a lot to be satisfied about. The Saints cruised to a 62-48 victory over the now-No.8 Captains, who lead the CAC in scoring offense, handing them just their second loss of the year and the first loss in the Freeman Center since last season.
Though the Captains have a high-scoring offense, Marymount leads the league in scoring defense as well, holding opponents to just 50.1 points per game. It showed on Wednesday night, capping CNU at its lowest point total of the season while forcing 25 turnovers, second most this season by the Captains.
It was a close battle through much of the first quarter, seeing four ties and four lead changes, but by the 4:34 mark of the period, the Saints turned the game into their favor for the final time after senior Kiki Laux broke through the paint for the inside finish. By the end of the quarter, freshman Regan Lohr added two free throws to put MU ahead, 14-11, to head into the first break.
The second quarter showed the consistency of the Marymount offense, using a 13-0 run to build up a 16-point advantage by the 4:25 mark. In the stretch, freshman Lauryn Stouffer finished off three dishes by junior Leah Hurst for six points, while Laux and sophomore Tyffani McQueen laid in a basket apiece and sophomore Abby Fisher cashed in on a three pointer.
By the half, the Captains erased the double-digit deficit, but the Saints still carried a 29-21 lead into the locker room.
The third quarter was all Marymount, outscoring the Captains, 16-8, including rolling through the final four minutes with 14-unanswered points. Six of the 14 points in the stretch were off and-one finishes inside by Hurst and junior Nicole Viscuso, helping the Saints take a 45-29 advantage into the final quarter.
Although the Captains put away 19 points in the final 10 minutes, the Saints kept their distance to cruise to the final buzzer and a 62-48 victory.
Laux, Viscuso and Lohr all dropped in a game-high 13 points, while Hurst and McQueen added seven apiece. Hurst dished out a game-high six assists, while Lohr and McQueen registered five and four steals, respectively, on the defensive end.
The Saints return home this weekend on Saturday, February 11, for Senior Day and their Play4Kay game. Fans are encouraged to wear pink to support the fight against breast cancer. Marymount will host York College of Pennsylvania for another league tilt, with first tip set for 1 p.m., in the Verizon Sports Arena.