NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - The Haverford College women's basketball team (6-6) was defeated in a Sunday matinee matchup at 11th-ranked Christopher Newport (14-1), falling by a final score of 83-45 inside the Freeman Center. The matchup was Haverford's final non-conference contest of the 2024-25 regular season.
The Fords shot 33.3 percent from the field and committed 21 turnovers on Sunday, which led to 24 points for the hosts. Despite the loss, sophomore guard Shae Mercer stood out for Haverford, contributing 14 points, seven rebounds, and two steals. Rookie forward Cayla Menicola added 11 points off the bench, while Audrey Jakway led the team with seven rebounds.
Christopher Newport showcased its depth in the contest, with 46 points coming from bench players. Senior forward Hannah Orloff led the Captains with 14 points and seven rebounds, while McKenna Snively added 10 points, including two three-pointers. The Captains controlled the boards with a 44-33 rebounding advantage and tallied 24 assists on their 33 made field goals.
The Captains began the contest on a 10-0 run before Shae Mercer converted to put the Fords on the scoreboard with just over six minutes remaining in the first stanza. Caroline Orza then connected from three-point range and Mercer added another strong bucket in transition to trim the lead to 15-7 at the first media timeout.
Orza cut the lead to just six after hitting a pair of free-throws, and the Fords defense later clamped down to force a shot clock violation. A Hailey Kellogg triple gave the hosts an 11-point cushion to head into the huddles up 20-9 at the end of the first quarter.
Haverford trimmed the deficit slightly in the second quarter with a 14-point effort but entered halftime down 44-23. CNU's efficient shooting night, 47.1 percent overall and 44 percent from three-point range, proved decisive as the Captains were able to steadily build the advantage in the second half.
Haverford's third-quarter struggles sealed their fate, with the Fords managing only six points while committing 10 turnovers in the stanza. The Captains capitalized with 18 points in the frame. In the final quarter, the Fords showed resilience, tallying 16 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit.
Haverford's defense had some definite bright spots against the always formidable Christopher Newport offense, including four blocked shots and five steals, but the Fords struggled to contain the hot shooting Captains. The Fords excelled at the free-throw line, going a perfect 7-for-7.
The contest was Haverford's first visit to CNU after the two sides met inside Gooding Arena in December of 2023. Christopher Newport extended its home winning streak to 50 consecutive contests.
Women's Basketball will now return home to resume Centennial Conference action with a Wednesday afternoon contest against Franklin & Marshall (Jan. 8). Tip off inside Gooding Arena is slated for 4 p.m.