LYNCHBURG, Va. -- Senior forward Jessica Daguilh led the way in the opening game of the 2018 Lynchburg Holiday Classic as the nationally-ranked Captains defeated the host Hornets (4-7) by a final score of 74-65. The Captains improved to 9-1 on the season after Daguilh's season-high 18 points and 10 rebounds. 

Christopher Newport led for the majority of the contest and held off a late comeback bid by the University of Lynchburg to pick up the non-conference victory. Two Captains finished in double figures as Daguilh was joined by CNU's leading scorer, junior Kiana Kirkland, with 15 points in the game. 

Despite facing a tough frontcourt, the Captains game plan focused on getting the ball inside to Daguilh early. She scored six of her 18 points in the first quarter on 3-of-5 shooting, while Kirkland added seven in the first also on 3-of-5 from the field. Daguilh also had four rebounds as the Captains weathered a tough opening stanza on the glass, outrebounded 16-9. As usual, CNU took advantage of mistakes by the home team, however, and scored 16 points on 11 Hornets turnovers in the first ten minutes of action. 

CNU grabbed eight steals in the first, led by three from rookie Julia Ng off the bench. Kirkland added a pair and Bailey Hodges, Jasmine Norman, and Sondra Fan each chipped in one theft to help the CNU transition offense. On the other end, CNU only turned the ball over three times and did not allow Lynchburg to score against them after giveaways. 

The Captains built a 22-15 lead after the first ten minutes and took an eight-point edge at the break, 41-33. Natalie Terwilliger led the scoring in the second frame, adding seven points, while Daguilh finished a strong half with four more points and rebounds. Her first 20 minutes saw her shoot 5-of-7 from the floor for 10 points and 8 rebounds. 

A late run in the first half cut a 15-point lead in half headed into the locker room, so the Captains adjusted at the break and came out firing in the third quarter. The most lopsided frame in the contest, CNU outscored the home team 23-12 to take a 19-point lead after the third frame. Rookie Jessica Foster buried a pair of three-pointers and Hodges added a third to bolster the run, while CNU shot 52.9% from the floor (9-17) in the quarter. On the defensive end, CNU forced another six turnovers and scored off each one for 12 points. 

Lynchburg closed the gap in the fourth quarter but never got closer than six points as CNU held off their opponent for the win. The Hornets hit four three-pointers in the final ten minutes to pull back to 66-60, but CNU responded with back-to-back layups by Kirkland to extend the lead back to 10 with less than five minutes remaining. Daguilh then added a free-throw and a traditional three-point play to put CNU back on top, 74-60, with 2:20 left on the clock. 

CNU closed out the win after shooting 43.7% (31-71) from the floor. The Captains forced 26 turnovers with 15 steals and scored 42 points off of Lynchburg giveaways. 

The Captains will now face No. 25 Emory & Henry at 2:00 pm on Sunday, December 30 in the Lynchburg Holiday Classic's second day. Live stats and video will be available at CNUsports.com.