Christopher Newport beats Monclair St., books Elite Eight matchup with DPU

CNU junior Tia Perry (20) converts a layup after being fouled during the first half of the third-round NCAA tournament game at DePauw on Friday. Perry had 24 points in the win. (Banner Graphic/GRANT WIEMAN)

The Christopher Newport women's basketball rebounded from an inconsistent first half and put together a late run to beat No. 5 Montclair State in the third round of the NCAA tournament at DePauw University on Friday, 83-70.

The Captains (29-2) had five double-digit scorers in the win, led by junior Tia Perry's game-high 24. Brandi Holland came off the bench to score 15 and key the second-half rally.

"There are a lot of people that didn't give us a chance to really even be in this game, more or less win it," CNU head coach Bill Broderick said. "They believed and never stopped fighting, even when we got down."

CNU delivered Montclair State (29-1) its first loss of the season and has now won 16 straight.

The Red Hawks' full court trap overwhelmed CNU early, leading to 16 first-half turnovers. But when the Captains got the ball into the half court offense, they scored consistently.

Perry completed back-to-back three-point plays midway through the first and senior Kelly Halverson made four-of-six threes in the half.

"We're really fortunate that we can go 150 percent because our team is so deep," Perry said. "We just did it together."

After trailing for the majority of the first half, Halverson's shot from the corner tied the game at 33 entering the break.

"We're just doing a really good job of finding the people that we need to find at the right time," Halverson said. "We've done a good job of utilizing each of our players to their strengths."

CNU turned around the turnover differential after the break and began to handle the press with precision.

"We knew that defensively they were the best team in the country and averaging almost 20 steals a game," Broderick said. "(The press) took a little bit of getting used. I think, also, that we were very tentative. ... I think once we just kind of relaxed and started playing our game, that really helped us out."

Halverson's layup with 7:22 remaining tied the game at 54 and started a 14-2 run that put CNU in control the rest of the way.

"It's always disappointing to have your season end," Red Hawks head coach Karin Harvey said. "But I'm not sure how we could be disappointed. We are 29-1 and this team has done everything that I've asked them to do all year long and so, so much more."

Halverson finished with 17 points. CNU junior Nicole Mitchell had 14 points and seven rebounds. Junior guard Andrea Hobbs had seven of the Captains 14 assists.

The Captains advanced to the fourth round and a matchup with No. 1 DePauw University.

Broderick said the Captains are aware of their opponents recent success, but they are not intimidated.

"Our motto all year has been 'Relentless,'" Broderick said. "Did we get the toughest sectional? Yeah, I think that's probably pretty obvious. But if you're going to have a chance to win the whole thing, you've got to beat somebody sometime."

CNU will play in the fourth round of the NCAA tournament at DePauw tonight at 7 p.m.

At DePauw
NCAA Tournament
Third Round
Montclair State 33 37 -- 70
Christopher Newport 33 50 -- 83