NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The nationally-ranked Christopher Newport women's basketball team opened up a 36-2 lead in the first 14 minutes against Penn State Harrisburg on Wednesday evening, cruising to a wire-to-wire win over their conference foes, 86-40.

The Captains (11-1, 5-0) remained in a first-place tie with Marymount University in the league standings, who CNU will face on Saturday in Arlington. Penn State Harrisburg falls to 5-7 overall, 0-5 in conference play.  

The dominant start to the game included a record-tying defensive performance in the first quarter. CNU and Penn State Harrisburg traded baskets in the first two minutes of action and then the Captains defense locked down. Matching a program record set against Mary Washington on February 10, 2016, the Captains held the Lions to just those two points in the first quarter.

The CNU defense held their opponents to just 1-of-11 shooting in the first quarter, with 16 turnovers forced. Led by three steals from senior Anitra Thomas, the Captains grabbed 11 in the opening quarter as a team. The first quarter saw CNU outscore the Lions by a final count of 27-2, with 25 of the Captains points coming off of Harrisburg turnovers. 

The run would continue through the first four minutes of the second quarter as CNU pushed the lead to 36-2. Junior Jessica Daguilh scored the first four points of the quarter, followed by a free-throw from Sam Porter. Bailey Dufrene and Micah Maloney each added layups as CNU wrapped up the run of 34 straight points.

CNU carried a 45-14 lead into the locker room with 25 turnovers forced. The pressure would continue from the Captains defense in the second half, as CNU forced 14 more turnovers in the third quarter. 

Fifteen Captains would get into the scoring column in the blowout victory, with only one player entering double digits. Rookie Bailey Hodges notched a season-high seven points on 2-3 shooting, while sophomore Kiana Kirkland led all scorers with 10 points. Senior Jasmine Bonivel finished just shy of a double-double with eight points and eight rebounds, while also grabbing four steals. Porter added eight points, seven rebounds, and four steals. 

In total, the Captains finished with 34 steals including multiple thefts from 11 players. The team forced a season-high 50 turnovers from the Penn State Harrisburg offense, while holding the Lions to just 26.9% (14-52) shooting. 

CNU will next travel to Marymount University (10-2, 5-0) on Saturday, January 6 for a 1:00 pm tip against the Saints. The matchup will be a mid-season battle for first place in the Capital Athletic Conference standings as the only two remaining unbeaten teams in the league.