UNCW women trailed by as many as 13 midway through the first half and cut the deficit to seven at halftime before going on a decisive run over a five-minute stretch after the break to earn its sixth consecutive home victory following a 71-63 win over Towson at Trask Coliseum on Sunday.
Junior guard Shatia Cole, sophomore guard Brie Mobely and senior guard Kelva Atkins combined to score 58 of the Seahawks’ 71 points, including 33 points after the intermission to spark the comeback.
After falling behind 37-30 in the first period, the Seahawks sprinted out of the gates in the first five minutes of the second half by going on a 17-1 run that gave UNCW a 47-38 advantage. Cole led the charge by scoring seven points during the run, while Mobley contributed six points.
The Seahawks build their largest advantage at 63-48 with 4:24 remaining on a three-point field goal by Cole, but Towson used a nine-point surge over the next two minutes to narrow the deficit to six before a jumper by Cole and strong free throw shooting by UNCW down the stretch secured the victory.
Tori Hines-Allen and Camille Alberson each scored 10 points in the first half as the Tigers shot 53.8 percent from the field en route to building its first half lead. Towson surged out to a 23-10 cushion in the first 9:19 of the game before UNCW closed to within 31-30 with 2:57 remaining.
Cole notched 17 of her season-high 25 points in the second half to lead UNCW. She made eight of 14 shots from the floor and seven of eight free throws, while contributing six assists and six rebounds. Mobley matched her season high with 20 points on 10-for-19 shooting from the field and Atkins contributed 13 points and a team-high nine rebounds.
The Seahawks (4-4, 8-11) will head to William & Mary on Thursday, Jan. 29, to face the Tribe in a CAA contest at Kaplan Arena.
