Wilmington, N.C. (March 6, 2025) … UNCW (14-16, 8-9) bolted to an 18-4 lead after the first quarter and never trailed in a 68-54 win over road weary Hampton (7-21, 3-14) team before 644 fans at UNCW's Trask Coliseum.

Hampton was scheduled to depart campus on Wednesday afternoon, but a severe thunderstorm forced the Pirates to push back their departure until 6:00 a.m. on game day. The team arrived in Wilmington, N.C. at noontime, leaving little time for sleep, shootaround at Trask Coliseum, and game preparation.

The effects showed as the Pirates fell behind by 14 in the first quarter and made just one field goal in 16 attempts. Trailing 18-4 after the first quarter, the Pirates battled back. A 9-0 Pirate rally spurred the comeback along with a swarming defense. Hampton outscored the Seahawks 23-13 in the period to close to 31-27 at intermission. Le'Asia Foreman came off the bench to spark the Pirates with eight points, and Jasha Clinton added five in the period.

"After the first quarter, I challenged my team to play hard on defense in the second quarter," Coach Tamisha Augustin said. "We were able to dictate the game and forced turnovers, which helped us make the comeback."

In a back-and-forth third quarter, the Seahawks outscored Hampton 16-15 in the period to lead 47-42. Foreman and Clinton continued to lead the comeback, each reaching double-figure scoring after three quarters. While Hampton shot 38.9 percent and UNCW was 63.6 from the field, the Pirates unrelenting defense forced turnovers, and offensive rebounding kept the game close. 

The Pirates closed to within three, 53-50, on a three-pointer by Arlisha Boston, but the Pirates could get no closer. Leading 59-54, the Seahawks scored the final nine points of the game to pull away 68-54, holding the Pirates scoreless for the final 3:54.

Foreman and Clinton led the Pirates with 13 points apiece. Four players scored double figures for the Seahawks, including Ali Zelaya (18), Tia Dobson (5), Kate Hollifield, and Jania Hall added 11 each. Although the Seahawks outshot the Pirates 54.0 to 33.8 from the field, the game remained close as the Pirates forced 22 turnovers, and the Pirate bench chipped in 37 of Hampton's 54 points. 

The Pirates close out the regular season on Saturday, March 8, when Hampton plays at Charleston. The Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Tournament begins on March 12 in Washington, D.C., at the CareFirst Arena.