NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The opening tip was won by the Captains and fifth-year senior guard Sondra Fan ran out the lay-in for a quick 2-0 lead over the University of Lynchburg Hornets on Sunday afternoon. The quick bucket was a preview of the rest of the game, kickstarting a dominant, well-rounded performance as Christopher Newport coasted to a 96-28 win. 

The Captains put together one of the strongest defensive performances in program history, statistically. The CNU defense held the Hornets to just 3-of-24 shooting (12.5%) in the first half and only seven made field goals overall. Lynchburg was 7-for-43 from the field. It is tied for the fourth fewest made field goals in a game against the Captains all-time and the fewest since allowing six at Mary Baldwin on January 9, 2013. The 16.3 percent shooting is the seventh lowest against the Captains and the finest performance for the Captains' D since the 2011-12 season.

Christopher Newport closed out it's sixth straight win to start the season and have yet to trail in a game this season. Securing the team's sixth wire-to-wire win in the process, the Captains defense forced 39 turnovers with 25 steals while the offense scored 86 or more points for the fourth straight game. 

While the defense was firing on all cylinders, turning 39 Lynchburg giveaways into 45 points, the Captains dominated the other phases of the game as well. CNU won the opening quarter, 29-4, and never looked back, taking a 50-point lead into halftime, 59-9. As a team, Christopher Newport shot 53.3 percent from the field in the opening half, knocking down 24 of 45 shots. 

Leading the way with one of the finest performances of her career was senior forward Anaya Simmons, collecting a double-double in the first half alone. By the break, Simmons had 13 points, 10 rebounds, three steals, and one blocked shot. Fan also was in double figures by halftime, adding 10 of her 12 points in the first 20 minutes. Neither played more than three and a half minutes in the second half but still added to their robust final stat lines. Simmons finished with 20 points and 13 rebounds while Fan added 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting. 

The Captains were clicking offensively, with 25 assists on 38 made baskets in the game. Gabbi San Diego, with a game-high five dimes, led a unit that saw four players dish four or more assists in the game. 

Off the bench, Camille Malagar led the attack with 10 points while Hannah Orloff hauled in 11 rebounds. All 15 players scored at least two points in the game and 14 of 15 registered at least one steal. The Captains out-rebounded the Hornets, 53-34, and hauled in 22 offensive rebounds that led to 26 second-chance points. 

Christopher Newport, ranked No. 2 in the WBCA Top 25 and No. 6 in the preseason D3hoops.com National Rankings, will return to action on Wednesday, November 30 at Bridgewater College (5-0). Tip-off against the Eagles is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.