NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Host Christopher Newport opened the 2009-10 USA South Conference women's basketball league schedule with an 80-61 victory over Shenandoah Wednesday evening.

CNU (4-0, 1-0 USA South) jumped out to a 34-22 halftime lead and kept the pressure on in the second against the Hornets (2-3, 0-1).

Christopher Newport, the defending conference champs and the pre-season pick to win it all in 2010, shot a sizzling 53.3 percent (16 for 30) following the break to prevent any thought of a Shenandoah comeback.

Junior Chelsie Schweers led the victors with a game-high 26 points - she was 10 of 14 from the field including 4 for 7 from behind the arc.

SU was able to cut the deficit to no closer than 12 points in the second half; the Hornets trailed by that margin on three different occasions, the last with 17:48 to play.

Senior Katherine Flint was the only Hornets player in double figures. She had 10 points while classmate Alexis Hargbol had a game-high 12 rebounds.

Shenandoah shot just 30.8 percent (20 for 65) from the field in the game.

The Hornets are back in action this weekend with USA South Conference games against Methodist on Saturday and Greensboro Sunday. Game time is 2:00 both days.

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