Lady Captains down Wesleyan in hoops action, 77-63

Rocky Mount, NC - In Tuesday's USA South hoops action, the Lady Captains of Christopher Newport defeated North Carolina Wesleyan by a 77-63 score in Everett Gymnasium.  The Bishops trailed just 36-30 at the break and fought back to tie the game at 38-38 early in the second half.  CNU (14-7, 8-2), however, put together a 6-0 run to go back on top and did not look back en route to the victory.  Wesleyan is now 4-15 on the season, 1-9 in conference play.

The Lady Captains led by 10 early, 22-12, with 8:51 to go in the opening half.  CNU would extend its lead to as many as 13 at 36-23 with 2:52 to go, but the Bishops countered with a 7-0 run to cut the lead to six at intermission.

CNU was hot from the field in the first, finishing 15-of-28 (54%), including 2-of-3 from behind the arc. Wesleyan was 11-of-26 (42%) from the floor in the period.

In the second half, the Bishops began with a fury, scoring six of the first eight points to tie the score at 38-38 with 17:25 to play. CNU countered with six straight to re-take the lead 44-38 with 14:56 left in the game.

The Lady Captains went up by 10 at the 9:20 mark on a Colandra Rollins bucket in the lane. Five minutes later, CNU extended its lead to 15, 70-55, on another Rollins' bucket and ensuing free throw. The largest lead the Lady Captains would have would be 16, which came just before the end of the game.

On the night, CNU finished 29-of-55 (53%) from the floor, 3-of-4 from behind the arc, and 16-of-18
(89%) from the free throw line. NCWC finished 22-of-53 (42%) from the field, 3-of-14 (21%) from long range, and 16-of-24 (67%) from the stripe.

Shameika Faircloth paced the Bishops with 16 points, while Liz Ansley finished with 15.  Lawanda Scott turned in eight points and a game-high eight rebounds.

Nikki Rowland paced Christopher Newport with 19 points.  Rollins finished with 13 points off the bench, and Dee Luck added 12.  Michele Russell had a season-high 10 points to go along with five assists.

The Bishop women continue USA South play on Saturday when they travel to Greensboro College for a 2:00 p.m. match-up with the Pride.