Women's Basketball Downs Averett, 63-52, Bryant Surpasses 1,000

NEWPORT NEWS, VA — Christopher Newport's women's basketball team remained atop the USA South standings with a 63-52 win over Averett Saturday afternoon and Candace Bryant became the 20th women's basketball player in CNU history to record 1,000 points in a career.

The Lady Captains, despite struggling shooting from the field, stepped up its defense and forced the Cougars into rushing their shots.

CNU raced out to a 23-12 lead with 5:29 left in the first half on two free throws by Colandra Rollins. AU then went on a 10-2 run to cut the lead to 25-22 CNU with 1:39 left in the half on a three-pointer by Jasmine Adams.

The Lady Captains closed out the half on a 4-1 run to lead 29-23 at the break. In the first half, AU was held to just 4-of-30 (13%) shooting from the floor, 1-of-7 (14%) on threes and 13-of-17 (77%) from the free throw line.

The Lady Captains finished the half 10-of-28 (36%) from the floor, 1-of-3 on threes and 8-of-10 from the line.

CNU maintained its lead in the second half and extended it to as many as 15, 59-44, with 4:52 left in the game on a free throw by Colandra Rollins.

The closest Averett would get would be nine points in the final five minutes.

In the second half, the Cougars were 9-of-35 (26%) from the floor, 3-of-9 on threes and 9-of-15 (60%) from the charity stripe. CNU finished the half 10-of-28 once again from the field, 0-of-2 from beyond the arc and 14-of-17 (82%) from the charity stripe.

For the game, AU finished 13-of-65 (20%) from the field, 4-of-16 (25%) on threes and 22-of-32 (69%) from the line. Christopher Newport was 20-of-56 (36%) from the floor, 1-of-5 on threes and 22-of-27 (82%) from the charity stripe.

The Cougars were led by Jasmine Adams with 16 points off the bench. Tiffany Deloatch added 11 points and eight boards.

The Lady Captains were led by Dee Luck's 15 points, eight rebounds and five blocks. Nikki Rowland added 12 points and Candace Bryant contributed 10 points and 15 rebounds, a season high.

Averett drops to 10-12 overall and 4-7 in the USA South. CNU improves to 15-7 overall and 9-2 in the USA South.

Christopher Newport concludes the regular season portion of its home schedule Sunday by hosting Ferrum at 2 pm.

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