Senior guard Shatia Cole led four UNCW players in double figures with 16 points, but the Seahawks were unable to overcome a record-setting performance from William & Mary sophomore guard Abby Rendle as the Tribe earned a 77-65 Colonial Athletic Association victory over the Seahawks at Kaplan Arena on Friday evening.
The win ended a three-game losing streak for the Tribe, while improving to 12-5 overall and 3-3 in the CAA. Meanwhile, the Seahawks dropped to 5-12 overall and 1-5 in the conference after suffering its third straight loss.
Rendle posted the first triple-double in William & Mary women’s basketball history after setting career highs with 24 points, 15 rebounds and a W&M-record 10 blocked shots. She made 9 of 17 shots from the floor and was 6-for-7 from the free throw line, while contributing three steals.
Cole, who posted her fifth consecutive double-digit scoring effort, made 7 of 16 field goal attempts while adding a season-high six assists for the Seahawks.
The Tribe overcame an early four-point deficit in the first two minutes to take a 22-14 lead in the first quarter, which ended on a 7-0 W&M run. Rendle scored nine points during the opening stanza as William & Mary continued to extend its advantage over the final 30 minutes.
UNCW continues a brief two-game road trip at Elon on Tuesday, Jan. 26.
