VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.  -- The non-conference finale and last game of the 2017 calendar year for the second-ranked Christopher Newport women's basketball team saw the Captains improve to 10-1 with a 90-55 victory over Virginia Wesleyan University (3-8). It was the first time this season the Captains' eclipsed 90 points in a game, and the team did so with only two players in double figures. 

The usual balanced offense was on display again against the Marlins as sophomore Micah Maloney (14 pts) and junior Jessica Daguilh (11 pts) were the only CNU players in double figures. Fourteen different Captains got into the scoring column in the game while the team shot 47.5% (29-61) from the field in the game. 

In addition to a hot shooting performance from the field, the Captains also managed to add 27 points from the free-throw line as the team threatened a 37-year old program record in total free-throw attempts in a game. Against the Marlins, CNU got to the line for 48 total free-throw attempts, just six shy of the school record set against Southeastern (DC) on November 28, 1980. Leading the way individually was senior Sam Porter (6-8) and Maloney (6-9). 

The Captains carried a 10-point lead into the locker room, 40-30, but caught fire in the second half to runaway with the blowout victory. After the break, CNU shot 55.2% (16-29) and held Virginia Wesleyan to just eight made baskets. The Captains outscored the Marlins, 50-25, in the second half, marking the ninth time in 11 games an opponent has failed to score 60 points against the CNU defense. 

Virginia Wesleyan turned the ball over 35 times against the vaunted Captains defense, as the CNU defenders picked up 20 steals. That effort was led by senior Makeda Wright's career-high five thefts 

The home team got out to a 10-6 lead in the first quarter, and led briefly again, 16-14, with 1:04 remaining in the opening stanza, but Christopher Newport took control from there and never looked back. A layup and free-throw from Daguilh gave CNU a 17-16 lead at the end of the first -- a lead the team would never relinquish. 

CNU ended the second quarter on an 11-2 run highlighted by back-to-back buckets from senior Makenzie Fancher. The spurt also included five Virginia Wesleyan turnovers in just 2:24 of action, leading CNU to the double-digit halftime lead, 40-30. 

A dominant third quarter put the game away for the Captains as the visitors outscored Virginia Wesleyan, 26-9, in the third frame. CNU forced 12 turnovers in the frame and scored 14 points off the Marlins giveaways. Maloney scored five points to lead the stanza while Kiana Kirkland and Sam Porter each added four. 

Closing out the game, the Captains were relentless in the fourth quarter, shooting 64.4% (9-14) from the field. Junior Madison Howdyshell went 2-for-2, including burying a triple from the corner right in front of the Captains bench, to lead the offensive effort with five points in the final ten minutes. Nine different players scored in the last quarter, while the defense held VWU to just 4-12 shooting.  

CNU will return to action on Wednesday, January 3, getting back to Capital Athletic Conference action as they play host to Penn State Harrisburg at 5:30 pm in the Freeman Center. It will be the first home game in over three weeks for CNU and carries a nine-game home winning streak into the contest. Live stats and video will be available at CNUsports.com/live.