Records matched and broken as UNCW dethrones Queens 69-59

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY) — Numbers on the scoreboard and stat sheet painted a historic picture in many ways as UNCW women’s basketball defeated Queens 69-59 on Sunday at Trask Coliseum.

The Seahawks started slow and trailed 17-9 after the 1st quarter. They then outscored the Royals 17-9 in the 2nd to go into the break tied at 26.

Head Coach Nicole Woods says the improvement was noticeable after the opening frame.

“I just didn’t think that we executed at a high level,” Woods said. “I challenged them on the defensive end to be able to turn our defense into offense, to get us some easy buckets so that now we can get back and we can execute a little bit better on offense. I thought we did a great job. We preach shot selection a lot. I thought we took really good shots in that quarter.”

(Photo: Colton Emswiler/WWAY)

What followed was the team putting up 29 points, which is a program record in a 3rd quarter.

Kylah Silver matched her career high with 22 points while Rori Cox scored 20 and registered nine steals, two shy of the single-game program record.

“Third quarter, the execution was there,” Silver said. “Every play we did, transition, we were looking for the right things. We were giving up good shots for great shots and that is what we like to do. Also on the defensive end, locking down and guarding our yard was very key. I think that’s exactly what we did.”

(Photo: Colton Emswiler/WWAY)

“The vibe was good,” Cox said. “We celebrate each other. Once we get a stop and then we get a score, it more so energizes us more to just want to get another stop and then want to score. Get back on defense and just talk with each other. Just get in a flow of not letting them get much paint touches.”

(Photo: Colton Emswiler/WWAY)

Woods announced after the game that starting point guard Tia Dobson will be out for the season. Sunday was her fourth straight game missed. Dobson was previously considered day-to-day with a knee injury. Sunday was Icyss Storm’s first game she’s missed this year due to injury. Woods says Storm is expected back soon.

The women will now begin a four game road trip. That includes a visit to Chapel Hill on December 17. They will not be back at Trask Coliseum until December 29.

Click here to see the full box score from Sunday’s game.