BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – UNCW women's basketball nearly overcame a 13-point third-quarter deficit, but fell 65-56 to Gardner-Webb in a nonconference matchup on Wednesday night at Paul Porter Arena.

With the loss, UNCW fell to 1-3 overall while Gardner-Webb won its second straight to improve to 2-4 on the season.

Junior guard Paige Smith poured in 25 points for UNCW, shooting 9-for-13 (69.2%) from the field and 7-for-11 (63.6%) from 3-point range, making the third-most 3-point field goals in a single game in program history.

Kylah Silver finished with 11 points and eight rebounds, and Shelby, North Carolina native Kate Hollifield recorded eight points, four rebounds and four assists for the Seahawks.

UNCW started fast and jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the first 90 seconds of the game, but Gardner-Webb rallied back to take a 31-26 lead at halftime.

The Runnin' Bulldogs led by as many as 13 (42-29) with 4:21 left in the third quarter. The Seahawks stormed back to end the third quarter on an 8-0 run capped off by a Smith 3-pointer right before the buzzer.

Smith opened the fourth quarter with another 3-point field goal to cut Gardner-Webb's lead to 42-40. Smith's fifth 3-pointer of the night cut the deficit to 46-45 with 8:24 to play. 

Gardner-Webb responded on the defensive end and held UNCW scoreless for over five minutes before Hollifield made a pair of free throws to trim the lead to 50-47 with 3:08 left in the contest.

The Seahawks couldn't draw any closer as Gardner-Webb pulled away in the final three minutes to secure the victory. 

The Seahawks committed 31 turnovers in the contest, which resulted in 27 points for Gardner-Webb. The Runnin' Bulldogs also had a 34-12 edge in points in the paint.

Amira Ofunniyin led the way for Gardner-Webb with 19 points and eight rebounds, including seven key points in the fourth quarter.

Amina Gray followed suit with 16 points and six rebounds, also scoring seven crucial points in the final quarter. 

UNCW will return to Trask Coliseum on Friday at 11 a.m. for the Seahawks Tomorrow Game against Presbyterian. UNCW defeated Presbyterian 78-74 in overtime last season.