GRANTHAM, Pa. – The College of New Jersey women's basketball team was defeated by Christopher Newport University, 87-45, in the season opener on Friday. The game was the first of the Messiah College Tip-Off tournament.

The Captains jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. The Lions countered with a 7-2 stretch to pull within 9-7. Rachel Gazzola hit a fast break lay-up, then Shannon Devitt converted from in close. Sydney Blum converted on an and-one, as she hit a lay-up and was fouled for the old-fashioned three point play.

A lay-up from Devitt followed by a three-pointer from Jen Byrne pulled TCNJ within 23-20 with 6:21 to play in the first half. Christopher Newport controlled the quarter after that, and closed out on a run to take a 44-25 lead into the locker room. CNU was able to carry that momentum over into the second half and hang onto the victory.

Byrne led the Lions with 15 points on 5-of-10 shooting from the field including 2-of-4 from three point territory. Devitt scored 12 on 6-of-10 shooting from the floor and added five rebounds. Gazzola tallied 10 on 5-of-8 shooting from the field, and Elle Cimilluca recorded six assists on the night.

The Lions are back at it tomorrow to close out the Messiah College Tip-Off Tournament. TCNJ will play Penn State Lehigh Valley at 1:00 p.m.