FROSTBURG, Md. – Despite a two-point lead following the first quarter, the Frostburg State women's basketball team fell to No. 23 Christopher Newport, 80-43, in Capital Athletic Conference action, Monday evening.
 
Junior Kirsten Rayner led FSU (3-16, 0-12 CAC) with nine points and 10 rebounds, while classmate Kache Fields added eight points and six rebounds.
 
Christopher Newport (17-2, 10-2 CAC) opened the first quarter with a quick 5-0 lead, but freshman Bryce Papp countered with a three-pointer and freshman Amber Downey added a layup to even the game at 5-5. Two made free throws from the Captains' Sam Porter returned the lead to the visitors, and back-to-back baskets from Fields and Downey put the Bobcats back on top, 9-7, with just over five minutes to go.
 
The score tied twice more before jumpers from Rayner and Fields and a made free throw from Rayner pushed FSU to a 16-11 advantage. A free throw and layup back-to-back from CNU's Jalynn Ponzo brought the guests back within two, 16-14, at the first intermission.
 
Porter knotted the game back up at 16-16 in the opening seconds of the second quarter and a layup from freshman Keri Hudson gave FSU its final lead, 18-16, with 8:52 to play before halftime.
 
However, it was all CNU from there as the Captains took off on a 26-4 rally to take the lead for good and go into halftime ahead, 42-22.
 
CNU continued to push its lead in the third stanza, outscoring the hosts 22-8 for a 64-30 lead heading into the final 10 minutes.
 
The fourth quarter was more evenly matched as Christopher Newport was held to just 16 points to the Bobcats' 13, but FSU's effort in the opening and final quarters wasn't enough as CNU held a 80-43 advantage at the final buzzer.
 
Senior Courtney Young finished with four points and seven rebounds while Downey added eight points and seven boards for the Bobcats.
 
Porter (12 points), Anitra Thomas (11 pts.), and Jessica Daguilh (10 pts.) all scored in the double digits for Christopher Newport.
 
The Bobcats return to action Wednesday, February 3 when they play host to Penn State Harrisburg. Tip-off is slated for 6:00 pm.