No. 2 Christopher Newport Women's Basketball Hosts N.C. Wesleyan in Sunday Afternoon Matchup
With the first semester of classes and final exams in the rear-view mirror, the nationally-ranked Christopher Newport women's basketball team will return to action on Sunday, December 11 against North Carolina Wesleyan University (3-2). The Captains, ranked No. 2 in the WBCA Top 25 and No. 5 in the D3hoops.com National Rankings, will put a pristine 8-0 overall record on the line at the Freeman Center with tip-off scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
Tickets are available for doubleheader action at home and the doors of the Freeman Center will open approximately one hour before tip on Sunday afternoon. Following the women's bout, the top-ranked CNU men's program will host Marymount University at 4:00 p.m. For fans unable to attend in person, live stats and a live video webcast will be available at CNUsports.com.
The CNU women's squad is coming off a 91-73 victory on the road at Greensboro College higlighted by a 21-point effort from Sondra Fan and a 17-point, 17-rebound double-double by Anaya Simmons. Four Captains finished in double figures as Hannah Kaloi added 15 and Gabbi San Diego chipped in 11 points in the victory, while San Diego filled the sheet with eight assists and six steals as well.
With the win, the Captains improved to 51-1 since halfway through the 2019-20 season, enjoying one of the most successful runs in program history. Christopher Newport has captured 32 straight home wins dating back to December 2018, including five of the top six most dominant wins in program history at the Freeman Center. Earlier this season, CNU won by a record 97 points against Goucher and added a 68-point victory over Lynchburg to rank as the third largest margin of victory since the building opened it's doors in 2000-01.
This will be the 85th matchup between the two long-time conference rivals as Christopher Newport welcomes N.C. Wesleyan to Newport News for the 43rd game between the two teams. CNU owns a 67-17 all-time advantage including a 38-4 lead in the series at home.
Christopher Newport is led by it's team defense, holding opponents to 43.8 points per game on 32 percent shooting, ranking second in the nation in scoring defense. The Captains also boast the fourth-ranked scoring offense in the country, averaging 90 points per game through the first third of the season. Simmons is the team's leader in scoring (13.0 ppg) and rebounding (9.0 rpg), while Fan is the only other CNU player in double figures with 12.3 points per game this season.
The Battling Bishops have gotten 13.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game from Nadia Simmons while Johnay Goddard has added 10.7 points and 8.7 rebounds as well. N.C. Wesleyan opened the season with three straight wins but have dropped a two in a row to Brevard and Division I N.C. Central.
Following Sunday's matchup, the Captains will fly to Puerto Rico for a pair just before the holiday break. CNU will take on Colorado College and Cortland in Puerto Rico on December 18-19.
Original source can be found here
Alerts Sign-up