NEWPORT NEWS, VA - In a rematch of last year's Conference Final, UC Santa Cruz once again gave No. 3 Christopher Newport all they could handle, but a big second half run gave the host Captains a 72-63 win on Sunday at the C2C Classic.
UC Santa Cruz (16-5) had their six-game win streak broken by the Captains, who are now 22-0.

Leading 30-28 midway through the second quarter, the Banana Slugs closed the half on a 12-9 run over the last 4:53, started with a steal by Aubrey Wagner who fed Amanda Inserra for a deep straight-way three.  The momentum didn't last as the Captains had a 15-4 run in the third quarter to retake the lead at 52-46 heading into the final ten minutes. Ashley Kowack and Kaylee Murphy combined for a 5-0 run to open the quarter and get the Banana Slugs back within 1 point. That was as close as they got the rest of the way, as the Captains came up with several defensive stops down the stretch to escape with the win.
Inserra scored 17 of her team-high 20 points in the first half, finishing 6-9 from three-point territory on the day. She also had three of the team's nine steals.  Murphy had 17 points and 12 rebounds for her 14th double-double this season. Kowack finished with 12 points as well as two blocks to move into sixth place on the school's career list. Wagner had eight assists and Tess Oakley-Stilson had a career-high six assists.

Sondra Fan had a game-high 27 points to lead the Captains. Christopher Newport finished 18-20 from the foul line, compare to UC Santa Cruz going just 3-5.
The Banana Slugs return home for Senior Day against Lincoln next Sunday at 12 noon.