No. 2/4 Captains Improve to 4-0 With 70-55 Win at Methodist University

More news about: Christopher Newport

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- Sophomore Erin Carroll registered a career-high 11 points and junior point guard Zhara Tannor added a team-high 14 points to lead the fourth-ranked Christopher Newport women's basketball team to a 70-55 win at Methodist on Tuesday night. The Captains improved to 4-0 with the non-conference victory headed into a long Thanksgiving break for the team. 

Carroll was remarkably effective in 13 minutes of action against the Monarchs, knocking down 4 of her 5 shots, including a 2-for-3 effort from beyond the arc. She added a 1-for-2 appearance at the charity stripe and hauled in six rebounds and a pair of steals to finish out a strong overall performance for CNU off the bench. 

As a team, the Captains struggled from the field by shooting just 29.9% (23-77), but made up for it with 38 points off of 38 Methodist turnovers. CNU snared 22 steals as a group, led by four from Tannor and three each for Bailey Dufrene, Kiana Kirkland, and Micah Maloney.

CNU shook off a slow first quarter after which they trailed, 13-9, by turning to Tannor and senior Makenzie Fancher for a 25-point outburst in the second quarter. Tannor scored 10 and Fancher added seven to lead the charge that saw the Captains take control of the game heading into halftime up 34-23. A 16-6 run to end the half built up the Captains lead to 11 at the end of two quarters. 

After giving up the first four points of the third quarter, the momentum shifted squarely back to CNU as another big run put the Captains in control by over 20 points. A 16-2 spurt over the course of just 3:32 of game time saw Christopher Newport build a 50-29 lead halfway through the third quarter. Carroll was a catalyst, scoring 7 of the 16, including five straight points late in the run followed by a layup from Madison Howdyshell

The lead would grow to 25 by the end of 30 minutes of play, as Kirkland delivered a three-point play to close out the third and put CNU ahead 62-37. 

CNU grabbed 50 rebounds in the game, led by sophomore Annemarie Beran with seven, and Carroll's six matching Howdyshell's total. Behind the two leading point scorers, junior Jessica Daguilh scored eight points in eight minutes played, while a trifecta of Captains added seven in the balanced effort: Bailey Dufrene, Makenzie Fancher, and Jasmine Bonivel

Christian Sanders led all scorers in the game with 18 points for Methodist, while Kayla Goldsmith added 12 points and seven rebounds for the home team. Methodist fell to 0-3 with the setback. 

CNU will take over a week off from the hardwood before returning to action next Wednesday, November 29 against Salisbury University in the Capital Athletic Conference season opener. Tip is scheduled for 5:30 pm.