ELON, North Carolina – Redshirt junior guard
GiGi Smith scored 16 of her 22 points in the second half as UNCW rallied from a double-digit deficit in the second half to hand two-time defending Colonial Athletic Association champion Elon a 75-70 setback inside the Phoenix's Schar Center on Sunday afternoon.
The Seahawks, who won for the fourth time in the last five games, upped their record to 9-5 overall and 2-1 in the CAA. Elon, meanwhile, dropped to 7-8 overall and 2-2 in the circuit after falling for the third time in its last four outings.
Smith, who was held to a season-low four points in UNCW's loss to William & Mary on Friday night, made 7-of-19 shots from the floor and was 7-for-13 at the free throw line. The Norfolk, Va., product also grabbed a team-high eight rebounds and contributed four assists.
Redshirt senior guard
Shrita Parker added 16 points, including an 8-for-10 showing from the charity stripe, while junior guards
Timber Tate and
Lacey Suggs each chipped in nine points.
Elon, which had beaten UNCW in each of the last seven meetings, was paced by sophomore forward Emily Maupin's career-high 26 points in addition to 11 rebounds. Junior guard Lexi Mercer added 17 points for the Phoenix in the loss.
Key Moment: The Seahawks overcame a 14-point deficit in the third quarter to take a 49-48 lead as Smith hit a pair of free throws with 1:10 left before Tate sank a three-pointer with 1.5 seconds remaining in the frame. The Phoenix evened the score at 60-all with 4:19 left in regulation before the Seahawks scored eight of the next 10 points to secure a 68-62 advantage they did not relinquish.
Up Next: UNCW returns home next weekend for a pair of league fixtures, welcoming preseason CAA favorite James Madison on Friday, Jan. 18, before hosting Towson on Sunday, Jan. 20.
