Cox scores 20 in first Div. I start, but UNCW falls to Coastal Carolina 80-56
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY) — A slow start did not improve over the course of UNCW women’s basketball’s home opener on Wednesday as the Seahawks lost 80-56 to Coastal Carolina.
The hosting side trailed by eight after the 1st quarter and 11 at halftime.
Head Coach Nicole Woods says shoring up some of the basics could have flipped the game around.
(Photo: Colton Emswiler/WWAY)
“At the end of the day, they were the tougher team,” Woods said. “I told them before the game that it wasn’t going to come down to any X’s and O’s or schemes or things of that nature. It was going to come down to the toughness plays. They out toughed us in a lot of areas. One of the reasons we struggled in the 1st quarter is we missed three or four layups that were right there. You make those shots, and now it’s a three or four point game at the end of the 1st quarter.”
Starting point guard Tia Dobson missed the game due to a knee injury suffered in their last game at N.C. Central on Friday. Woods says Dobson is day-to-day and a major part of the team.
(Photo: Colton Emswiler/WWAY)
“She adds a lot,” Woods said. “A steady presence. Everybody can do their jobs. She’s our floor general. It’s the next man up and we’ll go from there.”
Starting in her place was graduate transfer Rori Cox for the first time in her Division I career. After putting up 21 in their last game, she scored another 20 on Wednesday to make the most of her opportunity.
(Photo: Colton Emswiler/WWAY)
“The best who I can be,” Cox said. “Just keep giving my best effort. Bring my grit and the inner dog in me. Just always fight because that’s what I’ve always done. Just keep fighting, fight for what you want. Stay focused, lock in on what we need to lock in and just come together as a team when we’re down and don’t separate.”
The Seahawks will have a full week off before visiting Gardner-Webb next Wednesday.
