Junior guard Jasmine Steel scored 17 points, including the eventual game-winning jumper with 18 seconds remaining, as UNCW ended a four-game losing streak by edging Towson 53-51 in a thrilling Colonial Athletic Association game at Trask Coliseum on Friday evening.
The win, which also ended a seven-game home losing skid, upped the Seahawks’ record to 6-13 overall and 2-6 in the CAA. Meanwhile, Towson dropped to 5-14 overall and 2-6 in the CAA after suffering its fourth loss in a row.
Steele made 6 of 12 shots from the floor, including a 4-for-7 effort from three-point range. She also recorded five assists and three rebounds. Steele scored five of her points in the final 1:16 as the Seahawks outscored Towson by a 17-13 margin in the final quarter.
After Towson took a 51-50 lead on a lay-up by sophomore center Daijha Thomas, Steele reclaimed a one-point advantage with 18 seconds remaining when she hit a jumper in the lane. The Tigers turned the ball over on the next possession, which led to Raque making one of two free throws for a 53-51 edge. Towson had one last chance to tie the game, but Bankston’s jumper was blocked by Henry with two seconds remaining.
Senior guard Shatia Cole posted a team-high 19 points in the victory for UNCW, making 8 of 14 field goal attempts, while contributing five rebounds and five assists. Junior forward Jordan Henry grabbed 10 rebounds and recorded four blocked shots, while sophomore guard Madison Raque scored all nine of her points in the fourth quarter.
UNCW heads to Harrisonburg, Virginia for a date with league leading James Madison on Sunday, Jan. 31.
