ROCK HILL, South Carolina – Graduate student guard Sierra DaCosta scored 15 points and senior guard Carrie Gross added 10 points as UNCW ended a five-game losing streak with a 55-48 victory over Winthrop in non-conference women's basketball action at the Winthrop Coliseum on Wednesday evening.
 
The win, UNCW's first since the season opener against Mount Olive, upped the Seahawks' record to 2-5, while Winthrop remains winless in seven games this season.
 
DaCosta netted 10 of her 15 points after the intermission to register her sixth double-digit scoring effort in seven games this season. The Philadelphia, Pa., product shot 6-for-17 from the field, including a 2-of-9 showing from three-point range.
 
Gross, meanwhile, was 4-for-10 from the field in addition to making both of her free throws to author her fifth double-digit effort. She also added four rebounds in the victory.
 
Winthrop was led by junior forward Sierra Hunter, who posted a double-double with 15 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. Junior guard Myra Strickland and freshman guard Leonor Paisana each chipped in eight points in the loss for the Eagles.
 
Key Moment: UNCW broke away from Winthrop in the second quarter by outscoring the Eagles 12-4, including an 8-for-11 effort at the free throw line. The Seahawks limited Winthrop to just 2-for-11 shooting from the field and forced 10 turnovers.
 
Game Notes:

• Sophomore guard Evan Miller grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds in the win for UNCW … The first UNCW player to post a double-digit rebounding effort this season, Miller has 24 rebounds in her last three games.
• The Seahawks forced 32 Winthrop turnovers on Wednesday, the most by a UNCW opponent under Coach Karen Barefoot … UNCW converted those miscues into 25 points.
• UNCW used its third different starting lineup in seven games this season.
• The Seahawks set a season high with 12 steals against Winthrop … It is the second time UNCW has posted 10 or more thefts in a game this season.
• Winthrop shot just 1-for-5 from the free throw line with the lone conversion coming in the third quarter by Hunter on a traditional three-point play with 1:18 remaining.
• Winthrop has scored 50 or fewer points in its last 13 games dating back to last season … The Eagles set a season high with their 48-point effort on Wednesday.

Up Next: UNCW breaks for fall semester exams before venturing to Norfolk State on Thursday, Dec. 16, for a 5:30 p.m. contest against the Spartans.

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