WILMINGTON, North Carolina - The University of Mount Olive women's basketball team battled hard but fell 75-67 against the Seahawks of UNC Wilmington on Wednesday night in an exhibition game.
INSIDE THE SCORE
UNCW got on the scoreboard first and quickly opened an 8-0 lead before a three-pointer from Kelly Post got the Trojans on the board with 6:26 remaining in the first half. The Seahawks put in a jumper another basket to go up 10-3, but Mount Olive countered with an 8-0 run of their own taking an 11-10 lead with 1:03 on the clock following a layup by Ivanda Hudjakova. UNCW closed out the final 63 seconds with a 4-0 run sitting with a 14-11 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Seahawks opened up a seven-point lead, 18-11, 30 seconds into the second quarter but UMO pulled back within four-points, 20-16, following two jumpers, one each from Azariah Fields and Kiara Jackson, and a free throw from Jackson. Over the next two minutes of the game, UNCW went on a 12-0 run that put them ahead 28-16 with 5:43 remaining in the opening half. UMO went on a 10-4 rally over a five-minute span pulling withing four, 32-38, but a basket by the Seahawks with 21 seconds in the half gave them the six-point advantage, 34-28 at the horn.
The third quarter began with the Seahawks going on a 7-2 run taking a 41-30 lead by the 6:22 mark. UNCW's lead extended to 16 points following another short 9-2 run that put the score at 50-34 in favor of the host team with under four left in the third. The Trojans scored six more points in the third quarter but still trailed 54-40 heading into the final ten minutes of action.
Mount Olive came out on a 6-0 run that cut the UNC Wilmington lead to eight points with 7:14 left in regulation. Lacey Suggs for Wilmington connected three free throws opening a nine-point lead however UMO went on an 11-4 run that brought them within four points of the Seahawks with 4:09 to play. The teams traded a couple of buckets and UMO found themselves down just two points, 63-61 (3:10), but UNCW opened up an eight-point gap 69-61 following three quick baskets leaving 1:33 for UMO to catch up. The Trojans fought to come back in the final 93 seconds but time was not on their side as the final horn rang with the Seahawks beating the Trojans 75-67.
UMO LEADERS
The Trojans were led by Azariah Fields with 20 points and seven assists. Ivanda Hudjakova added 18 points and seven rebounds while Kiara Jackson tallied 15 points and eight rebounds for UMO. Kelly Post led the team with four steals and had six rebounds on the night.
UNCW LEADERS
The Seahawks were led by GiGi Smith with 22 points. She was followed by Lacey Suggs with 18 and Carol-Anne Obusek with 16 points. Jessica Munoz led the boards with 10 rebounds and added seven assists.
KEY MOMENT
The critical moment of the game came in the fourth quarter when the Seahawks opened the eight-point lead over the Trojans. The gap was just large enough that the Trojans did not have enough time to make up the difference to win the game.
UP NEXT
Mount Olive returns to Kornegay Arena on Saturday, Nov. 23, when they host the Warriors of Southern Wesleyan. UMO and SWU tip-off at 2 PM in the Conference Carolinas season opener.