Box Score

WILMINGTON, N.C. –The Northeastern women's basketball team snagged its first Colonial Athletic Association victory when it defeated UNC Wilmington, 64-50, on Thursday night at Trask Coliseum.

With the win, the Huskies hold a 7-7 overall record and own a 1-0 conference mark. The Seahawks fall to 1-14 on the season and 0-1 in CAA play.

"It feels great to get that first conference win," said head coach Daynia La-Force. "When you start CAA play, everyone starts 0-0, so we knew [UNCW] would come out strong."

Junior guard A'lece Mark set the pace for the Huskies and led all scorers after recording her fourth 20-point game this season with 21 points. Tiffany Montagne and Amencie Mercier joined Mark in double figures with 13 and 10 points, respectively. Samantha DeFreese tallied a career-best 16 rebounds and added seven points, while Jewel Tunstull, Kazzidy Stewart and Francesca Sally contributed 13 points, collectively.

Freshman Brie Mobley led UNCW with a career-high 20 points and four rebounds.

The Huskies showcased their dominance right from the start, posting an early 7-0 lead and forcing UNCW to call for a timeout just two minutes into play.  The Seahawks responded from breather with a jumper, but Mark drained back-to-back layups to push the Huskies ahead, 11-2.

Northeastern landed the next three field goals, including a trey from Montagne, for an 18-6 advantage. The teams exchanged baskets over the next six minutes of action before UNCW strung together an 8-0 run to come within five points, 26-21. Another Montagne three and a bucket from Sally pushed NU into halftime with a 31-24 lead.

Both teams were held scoreless through the first two minutes of the second frame.  Tunstull drew a foul and gave NU the first point before the Seahawks put up two of their own. UNCW used an 8-0 run to invade Northeastern's advantage to just one point, but a Stewart 3-pointer triggered an 11-0 surge to give the Huskies their largest lead of the night, 51-36.

Neither team could connect on consecutive shots for the remainder of the contest, but NU held a double-digit lead the rest of the way. A fast break jumper from Mark sealed the deal for the Huskies, 64-50.

For the game, Northeastern shot 44 percent (25-54) from the floor, 40 percent (8-20) from 3-point range, and 73 percent (8-11) from the charity stripe. UNCW shot 30 percent (19-63) from the field, (6 percent (1-18) from long range, and 61 percent (11-18) from the free-throw line. Northeastern won the rebounding battle, 43-36, as 30 of NU's rebounds came in the second half.

The Huskies continue their road stint when they travel to Towson, Md., on Sunday, Jan. 12, to face CAA rival Towson. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m.

Game Notes
• Samantha DeFreese tallied a career-best 16 rebounds.
• A'lece Mark notched her fourth 20-point game of the year with 21 points to lead all scorers.
• The Huskies held UNCW to just 50 points to tie for fewest points allowed this year.
• Three Huskies hit two or more 3-pointers for the third time this season.
• Every player recorded at least one rebound for the second time this year.

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