The Trask Coliseum scoring record went down Thursday night and to Delaware’s dismay, so did a lot of Brie Mobley’s shots.
The sophomore guard exploded for a UNCW women’s basketball record-setting 46 points as the Seahawks outlasted the Blue Hens to earn a pivotal 71-68 Colonial Athletic Association victory.
UNCW moved into a tie for fifth place in the CAA standings with Delaware and improved to 12-15 overall and 8-8 in the circuit. Meanwhile, Delaware dropped their third straight and fell to 13-14 overall and 8-8 in the CAA.
Mobley scored 30 of her 46 points after the intermission, including all nine of the Seahawks’ points in the extra period, as UNCW overcame a 12-point first half deficit to end a nine-game losing streak against the Blue Hens.
Trailing by a 62-55 margin with 3:10 remaining in regulation, Mobley scored the Seahawks’ final seven points to force the extra period. After the Blue Hens reclaimed a 66-64 lead on a lay-up by sophomore guard Erika Brown, with 3:55 remaining in overtime, Mobley hit a jumper with 3:48 left to even the score and give her the school record.
The Blue Hens regained a two-point advantage on a pair of free throws, but Mobley answered by scoring the last five points for a 71-68 lead UNCW did not relinquish.
Trailing by 12 at the break, UNCW opened the second half by going on an 11-3 run over the first four minutes to trim the deficit to 37-33 before Delaware answered by scoring 14 of the next 23 points to extend its cushion to 51-42 with 9:16 remaining on a pair of Joy Caracciolo free throws.
The Seahawks battled to within 54-53 with 6:19 remaining in regulation before an 8-2 spurt by the Blue Hens upped the margin to 62-55 and set the scene for Mobley’s heroics.
Mobley was the lone UNCW player to score in double figures. She set a CAA record by making 19 of 25 field goal attempts, including both of her three-point tries, while going 6-for-7 from the free throw line. She also added six rebounds and three steals.
The Seahawks will play their final road game of the regular season on Sunday afternoon when they visit the College of Charleston for a 1 p.m. Colonial Athletic Association game against the Cougars.
