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BOSTON – Led by Jess Genco's 16 points and Claudia Ortiz's second consecutive double-double, the Northeastern women's basketball team rolled to its fourth straight victory, besting UNCW, 69-52, during Sunday's Alumnae Day at Cabot Center.
 
Besides claiming the team lead in scoring, Genco recorded three assists, breaking the school's freshman assist record, set previously at 97 by Jody Burrows during the 2003-04 season. Genco also tallied seven rebounds and three steals, making four 3-pointers during 39 minutes of action.
 
Ortiz matched her stat line from the Huskies' most recent game against Delaware on Friday, posting an identical 11 points and 10 rebounds. The sophomore from Carolina, Puerto Rico, came an offensive board away from achieving every possible game statistic, rounding out her afternoon with two assists, two 3-pointers, a free throw, a block, and a steal.
 
With the victory, Northeastern (12-14, 7-8 CAA) swept the regular season series from UNCW (7-19, 3-12 CAA), achieving its longest winning streak in three seasons. The Huskies' four-game conference winning streak is the second longest NU has enjoyed during its tenure in the CAA (six, 2007-08).
 
Samantha DeFreese successfully improved her double-digit scoring streak to a 10th consecutive game, but saw her five-game double-double steak come to an end with only five rebounds. DeFreese converted on six of her eight field-goal attempts and was one of seven Huskies to knock down multiple shots during the game.
 
Senior Kazzidy Stewart remained perfect from downtown, knocking down three long-distance balls during the first half. Zoe Zwerling provided Northeastern with eight points off the bench, while Loren Lassiter blocked two shots for the first time during her career. Francesca Sally added four points and five rebounds for the Huskies as well.
 
Despite dressing only six players, UNCW trailed NU by just one point at the end of the first and second quarters. After Northeastern had committed 10 turnovers during the first half, the Huskies played nearly flawless basketball, coughing the ball up a mere two times while hitting seven 3-pointers. NU outscored the Seahawks, 23-10, during the third quarter and held at least an 11-point edge against UNCW during the entire fourth quarter.
 
Shatia Cole paced the Seahawks with 18 points, while Jasmine Steele tacked on 12 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Amber Reeves ended the afternoon with seven points, five boards, and five assists.
 
Northeastern won the rebounding battle, 41-30, against UNCW as DeFreese, Ortiz, Stewart, Genco, and Sally each collected five rebounds or more. NU shot better than 50 percent from the floor during the second half (15-of-29), including a 63.6-percent shooting clip from behind the arc during that same time period.
 
The Huskies will conclude their three-game home stand on Friday, Feb. 26, when Northeastern hosts College of Charleston at 4 p.m.
 
STATS OF THE GAME
- Northeastern has shot better than 40 percent from the field during each of its last four games (all victories).
- The Huskies outscored UNCW, 24-14, in the paint, improving to 9-2 this season when leading this category.
- Kelly Cole has now guided Northeastern to an eight-win turnaround overall and a six-win turnaround in the CAA.
- NU has won seven conference games for the first time since the 2012-13 season (fifth time as members of the CAA).
- Samantha DeFreese moved into sole possession of seventh place on Northeastern's all-time rebounding list (663 career boards). She is also 12 points away from tying A'lece Mark for 17th place on the Huskies' all-time scoring list.