WILMINGTON, North Carolina – Junior guard
Lacey Suggs netted a career-high 29 points, including 15 in the first half, as UNCW soared past two-time defending Colonial Athletic Association champion Elon to earn its third win in a row, a 76-51 victory over the Phoenix at Trask Coliseum on Friday evening.
The Seahawks, who have posted their fourth three-game win streak of the season, elevated their record to 14-7 overall and 7-3 in the CAA. Elon, meanwhile, suffered its seventh loss in a row and fell to 7-14 overall with a 2-8 mark in the circuit.
Suggs, who hails from White Lake, N.C., recorded her seventh career 20-point game after making 11-of-16 shots from the floor and all five of her free throws. She tallied 15 of her points in the first half as the Seahawks surged to a 40-28 advantage.
Redshirt junior guard
GiGi Smith added 20 points for the Seahawks on 6-for-14 shooting from the field and a 7-of-8 showing at the free throw line. Senior center
Chinyere Bell completed the Seahawks' trio of double-digit scorers by contributing 13 points with a team-high eight rebounds.
Elon was paced by freshman guard Brie Perpignan, who scored 10 points after making 4-of-10 field goal attempts.
Key Moment: Smith and Suggs combined to score 12 points in the game's opening five minutes as UNCW jumped out to a 16-7 lead over the Phoenix and never looked back. The Seahawks continued to grow their lead and led by as many as 27 points in the second half.
Up Next: UNCW completes its four-game homestand on Sunday, Feb. 10, with a 2 p.m. CAA tilt against William & Mary.
