WILMINGTON, North Carolina – UNCW battled back from a 12-point deficit in the second half, but a jumper by graduate student guard Sierra DaCosta at the buzzer fell short as the Seahawks dropped a 51-50 verdict to Radford in non-conference women's basketball action at Trask Coliseum on Saturday afternoon.
 
The win elevated the Highlanders' record to 3-3 on the season while UNCW fell to 1-5 after losing its fifth straight game.
 
One of two UNCW players to score in double figures, DaCosta closed the game with 10 points in addition to matching her career high with eight rebounds. The Philadelphia, Pa., native made just 2-of-11 shots from the field, but was 5-for-6 at the free throw line.
 
Senior guard Carrie Gross led the Seahawks with 13 points on 6-for-12 shooting in addition to converting her lone free throw. She also matched a season high with five rebounds along with two steals.
 
Senior guard Bridget Birkhead tallied a game-high 16 points in the win for Radford, making 6-of-12 field goal attempts, including a 4-for-8 showing from three-point range.
 
Junior forward Rachel LaLonde nearly registered a double-double with nine points and a game-high 10 rebounds to go with three assists.
 
Key Moment: After Radford took a 51-43 lead on a Birkhead three-pointer with 2:43 left, the Seahawks chipped away at the score and trailed by just 51-50 with 49.5 seconds remaining on a free throw by freshman guard Jayde Gamble. UNCW forced a shot clock violation by Radford to set up the final play. DaCosta's jumper as time expired from the left wing hit off the rim to give the Highlanders a one-point win.
 
Game Notes:

• Radford and UNCW renewed their series for the first time since the 2007-08 season … The Highlanders earned their first road win in four all-time visits to Trask Coliseum, but the Seahawks still lead the series by a 4-3 margin.
• DaCosta's eight rebounds matched her career high, which was set on two other occasions.
• The Seahawks committed a season-low 10 turnovers, including just two in the second half … The 10 turnovers are the fewest in a game since Feb. 16, 2021, when UNCW had just 10 miscues at James Madison.
• Radford held UNCW to just four points on 2-of-16 shooting from the field in the second quarter.
• Gross authored her fourth double-digit scoring effort in six games this season, including her third in the last four outings.
• DaCosta added her 56th career double-digit scoring performance, including her fifth in six games this season.
• Sophomore guard Evan Miller made her first start of the season and tallied four points with six rebounds in 30 minutes.

Up Next: UNCW plays its final game before fall semester exams on Wednesday, Dec. 1, with a 5 p.m. non-conference visit to Winthrop.

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