Newport News, Va.-- The University of Mary Washington women's basketball team picked up a huge CAC upset victory over #13 Christopher Newport, 74-44 on Wednesday. Claire Haeuptle was one of three Eagles in double digits, leading the team with 13 points. UMW held CNU to on 29.6% shooting for the game, and move to 15-7, 8-6 CAC on the year.
CNU got out early taking the lead thanks to a couple layups at 4-2. That would be the only lead the Captains would hold the rest of the game, as the Eagles stepped on the gas and never let off.
Brianne Comden hit a layup with just over 16 minutes remaining in the first half, to take an 8-6 lead. Caitlin Ciniero and Aubrey Howland hit back to back buckets to up the lead to 12-7 early. CNU tried to come back, with a couple of Camry Green baskets cutting the Eagle lead to 14-12, with 12 minutes to go in the first half.
A Ciniero layup and a Brie Matthes three pushed the lead up to 19-12, and Sarah Listenbee added to the lead with a layup, forcing a CNU timeout. Listenbee gave the Eagles their largest lead of the first half at 31-18 after a jumper with just over four minutes remaining. The Eagles closed out the half with a Matthes jumper to lead 35-24 at the break.
Matthes scored seven points in the first half to pace the Eagles, while adding four rebounds. Ciniero chipped in six points and three boards in the opening stanza, as the Eagles shot 50% from the field.
CNU opened the second half trying to cut into the deficit, but every time the Eagles had an answer. UMW went on a 10-0 run to put the game out of reach. Matthes and Haeuptle hit back to back threes to open the run. Ciniero hit a jumper, followed by Listenbee's jumper to give the Eagles a 53-32 lead with eight minutes remaining.
The Eagles reached their largest lead of the game at 32, after a pair of Aubrey Howland free throws to make the lead 68-36. UMW closed the game out with a Brianne Comden jumper, and won 74-44.
Haeuptle lead the Eagles with 13 points, adding four assists and three boards. Comden and Matthes also hit double figures, with 12 and ten respectively. Comden also chipped in three rebounds, while Matthes added eight boards, three assists and one steal. The Eagles shot 49.2% from the field. Nicole Mitchell lead CNU with 13 points, as the Eagles held the Captains to just 29.6% from the field, thanks to their #15 ranked scoring defense in the nation.
UMW returns to action in their final home game of the season against Wesley on Saturday. UMW will honor the senior class on senior day, prior to their 3:00 p.m. tipoff.
GAME NOTES: The Eagles handed the Captains their worst lost in the history of the Freeman Center, and their first loss in that gym in 25 games.