WILMINGTON, North Carolina – Playing in front of a near-capacity crowd, UNCW battled back from a slow start against Stetson to tie the game with 34 seconds remaining. But, the Hatters used a late three-point field goal and two free throws to edge the Seahawks by a 52-49 margin at Trask Coliseum on Tuesday afternoon.  
 
UNCW, which was playing the first of three consecutive home games, dropped to 3-4 on the season. Meanwhile, Stetson extended its win streak to four straight games as the Hatters improved to 7-3.

The loss spoiled an outstanding performance by junior guard Jasmine Steele, who scored a career-high 19 points, including 17 in the second half. The Birmingham, Ala., native made 7 of 14 shots from the floor, including a 5-for-10 effort from beyond the arc.
 Junior guards Naqaiyyah Teague and Amber Reeves each added 10 points and eight rebounds for UNCW while junior forward Jordan Henry tallied a game-high 12 rebounds.
 
Stetson, which made its first-ever trip to the Port City, was led by junior guard Brianti Saunders. The reigning Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Week scored 18 points, including a 9-for-10 performance from the free throw line, and added five rebounds.
 
How It Happened: After Teague tied the game at 47-47 on a jumper, junior forward DeAsia Beal knocked down a three-point field goal from the corner with 10 seconds left for a 50-47 edge. Teague converted a layup with six seconds remaining to narrow the margin to 50-49, but two Saunders free throws with four seconds left sealed the win for Stetson.
 
#SeahawkStats: The game was played in front of a season-high 4,893 fans as part of the "Seahawks Tomorrow" series … UNCW is now 7-3 all-time in "Seahawks Tomorrow" games and will host a second event on Friday, Jan. 15 against Hofstra … Stetson defeated UNCW for the second straight year … The Seahawks are now 2-3 all-time against teams in the Atlantic Sun Conference … Reeves equaled her season highs in scoring and rebounds … She also had eight rebounds against Norfolk State on Sunday … Henry has tallied 10 or more rebounds in five of the Seahawks' first seven games this year … The Seahawks were held to just two points in the first quarter and shot 1-for-15 from the floor in the opening stanza … UNCW outrebounded Stetson, 39-33, marking the second straight game the Seahawks have held the advantage on the boards … There were six ties and seven lead changes .. Saunders has scored in double figures in all 10 of the Hatters' games this season.

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What's Ahead for the Seahawks:
Friday, Dec. 18 vs. Ohio • 2 p.m. • Trask Coliseum, Wilmington, N.C.
Saturday, Dec. 19 vs. Chattanooga • 2 p.m. • Trask Coliseum, Wilmington, N.C.
Tuesday, Dec. 29 at North Florida • 3 p.m. • UNF Arena, Jacksonville, Fla.

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