WILMINGTON, North Carolina - The UNCW women's basketball team continues its regular season-ending road swing Sunday with a visit to the Empire State for a 2 p.m. matinee versus Hofstra at the Mack Sports Complex.         

Seahawk Storylines

• The Seahawks (3-23; 2-13 CAA) opened the stretch that will see the squad play three of its final four regular-season contests away from home with a 65-53 setback at George Mason on Thursday.
• Despite a 19-point, 11-rebound effort from senior Karneshia Garrett, the Seahawks were unable to slow down a balanced Patriots lineup that shot a season-high 46.8 percent from the floor and had four players score in double figures.
• UNCW has struggled to rebound the basketball this season as it ranks 11th in the CAA and 312th in the NCAA in rebounding margin (-6.0). The Seahawks have been out-rebounded by their opponent in all but seven of its 26 games this season, but enter today's contest having posting a positive rebounding margin in three of its last five contests (+9 vs. George Mason, +2 vs. Georgia State & +5 at Drexel). 
• The Seahawks have made it hard for the opposition to make shots from the field this season as opponents are making just 39.1 percent (633-of-1618) of their tries from the field this season, representing the sixth-best field goal percentage defense in program history. Of UNCW's 25 games played this season, the Seahawks opponent has shot better than 40 percent from the field on just 10 occasions.
• UNCW has struggled to shoot the basketball this season, ranking 10th in the CAA and 264th nationally in field goal percentage, making just 36.7 percent (514-of-1399) of its attempts from the floor this season. The Seahawks have shot better than 40 percent from the floor in just eight of 26 games this season, but six of those performances have come in the last 14 contests. (William & Mary, Drexel, Towson, Hofstra, Georgia State and George Mason).
• Senior forward Karneshia Garrett has been a force to be reckoned with on the glass this season as she enters today's contest ranked 16th in the nation in rebounds per game (11.1). She has grabbed double-digit rebounds in 15 of 25 games played this season, highlighted by a 20-rebound effort against Georgia State on Feb. 17. She has pulled down double-digit boards in eight of the last 10 games, recording a double-double in each of those contests as she has averaged 12.2 rebounds per game during that stretch.   
• Garrett has also picked up her point production in recent games, averaging 14.2 points in the Seahawks' last 12 contests. Garrett is shooting 49.7 percent (72-of-145) from the field during that stretch as she has reached double figures in all but one of those 12 contests, highlighted by a career-high 22-point effort against Georgia State on Feb. 17.
• Junior guard Jessica Freeman leads the team in steals (2.5) and ranks second in scoring (10.3) and third in assists (2.6). Freeman poured in a career-high 27 points in the Seahawks victory over Georgia State on Feb. 17, going 9-of-15 from the floor, including 6-of-9 from 3-point range.
• Freeman has served as an iron-woman of sorts for the Seahawks, having played 40 or more minutes in 11 games this season, highlighted by a career-high 43 minutes against Georgia State on Feb.17. She ranks second in the CAA in minutes played per game (36.8).

George Mason Recap

UNCW saw its losing skid stretch to three games with a 65-53 setback to George Mason Thursday at the Patriot Center.

• Senior Amber Easter scored 17 points and added 13 rebounds to pace potent George Mason attack that shot a season-high 46.8 percent (29-of-62) from the floor and had four players score in double figures.
• Senior Rahneeka Saunders pitched in 14 while seniors Melissa Collier and Joyous Tharrington chipped in 12 points each.
• Easter's game-high 13 rebounds helped propel the Patriots to a 42-25 advantage on the glass. It marked the 19th time this season that the Seahawks have been out-rebounded in a contest and moved UNCW to 0-19 this season when they grab fewer rebounds than their opponent.
• Senior Karneshia Garrett paced the Seahawks with 19 points and 11 rebounds as she recorded her team-best 12th double-double of the season. She has recorded a double-double in eight of the last 10 games played.
• Sophomore Kelva Atkins joined Garrett in double figures with 15 points while senior Tawanna Lee chipped in eight.
• UNCW shot 40 percent or higher from the floor for eighth time this season as they were 20-of-50 (.400) from the field. The Seahawks moved to 3-5 in 2012-13 when doing so.
• The Patriots were just the 11th opponent to shoot better than 40 percent from the floor against the Seahawks this season.
• Both teams shot 70 percent or better at the free-throw line as UNCW was 8-of-11 (.727) from the charity stripe while Mason was 7-of-10 (.700). It marked the ninth time this season that UNCW shot above 70 percent from the free-throw line.
• Mason enjoyed a 38-24 advantage in points in the paint, highlighted by a 22-6 margin in the second half.
• The two teams combined for just 23 turnovers as the Seahawks were charged with 13 while Mason committed 10 miscues.
• UNCW matched its season low as it finished with three steals against the Patriots. It marked the second straight contest and the sixth time this season that the Seahawks have finished a game with five or fewer steals.

Scouting Hofstra

• Hofstra (12-15; 8-8 CAA) enters Sunday's contest looking to halt a losing skid that reached four games with a 79-50 setback to No. 18 Delaware Thursday at the Mack Sports Complex.
• The Pride is led by senior forward Shante Evans. The program's all-time leader in points and rebounds, Evans paces the CAA in rebounding (11.2) and ranks sixth on the circuit in scoring (16.5). She leads the league with 17 double-doubles, including a 16-point, 10-rebound performance against the Seahawks in their first meeting on Feb. 5.
• Junior Anma Onyeuku provides scoring depth to the Hofstra lineup, averaging 10.4 points per game. Onyeuku currently ranks second in the CAA in field goal percentage, having knocked down 53.4 percent (125-of-234) tries from the field this season.
• Sophomore Andreana Thomas has served as the quarterback of the Pride attack, averaging a league-best 6.5 assists per game. Thomas is also averaging 8.4 points per game, highlighted by a season-high 23 points against the Seahawks that was highlighted by an 11-of-12 effort at the free-throw line.
• Krista Kilburn Steveskey is in her seventh season as head coach of the Hofstra program. She has led the Pride to five winning seasons and three postseason appearances during her time in Hempstead.

Scouting Hofstra

• Sunday's contest marks the 24th meeting between Hofstra and UNCW. All 23 previous contests have come since the Pride joined the CAA for the 2001-02 season.
• The Seahawks hold a 12-11 lead in the series, but the Pride have won two of the last three meetings, including a 75-69 triumph at Trask Coliseum on Feb. 5.
• UNCW holds a 4-7 mark in 11 previous visits to the Mack Sports Complex. The Seahawks suffered a 66-55 setback in their most recent visit on Feb. 26, 2012 and recorded their last victory in the 5,000-seat facility with a 70-66 victory on Jan. 16, 2011.

Half-Dollar Defense

The Seahawks are 53-0 since the start of the 2002-03 campaign when limiting the opposition to 50 points or less.

• UNCW held its first opponent to 50 points or less during the Adell Harris era with a 59-45 victory over North Carolina Central on Nov. 28. The win also marked the first time the Seahawks had limited its opposition to fewer than 50 points since a 76-47 victory at Towson on Feb. 24, 2011.
• The last time the Seahawks lost a game in which they held their opponent to less than 50 points was a 49-44 setback at rival Campbell on Nov. 17, 2001.

Interstate 70

UNCW is 70-8 (.897) since the start of the 2000-01 campaign when it scores 70 or more points in a contest.

• The Seahawks reached the 70-point plateau for the first time this season in their 84-83 overtime victory against Georgia State on Feb. 17. The 84 points matched the eighth highest point total for a UNCW squad since the start of the 2000-01 season.
• UNCW is 24-2 since the start of the 2010-11 season when reaching the 70-point plateau.
• UNCW's last loss when scoring 70 or more points came in a 79-73 setback to Appalachian State in the first round of the Postseason WNIT last March.

Getting Off To a Good Start important for UNCW

The Seahawks are 68-23 (.747) since the start of the 2007-08 season when leading at halftime.

• UNCW is just 1-6 this season when holding a halftime advantage. Five of the Seahawks last eight losses have come under such circumstances.
• Four of the Seahawks six losses when leading at the half this season have come in games where their halftime advantage was three points or less (25-24 vs. Charlotte; 30-27 at Towson; 33-32 vs. William & Mary; 27-26 vs. George Mason) while a fifth such contest featured a four-point intermission advantage (32-28 vs. Hofstra).
• On the flip side, the Seahawks are just 22-68 (.244) since 2007-08 and just 2-17 this season when trailing at intermission. UNCW has defeated William & Mary (23-22) and Georgia State (38-34) this season when trailing at the break.

Double-Digit Dominance

UNCW has benefitted from building big leads in recent years as it is a combined 69-8 (.896) since the start of the 2007-08 season when it holds a lead of 10 points or more during a contest.

• The Seahawks are 2-3 this season under such circumstances. Three of the Seahawks last five losses have come after UNCW has held a double-digit lead (11 vs. William & Mary; 12 at Old Dominion and 11 vs. Hofstra).
• The Seahawks have struggled to overcome big deficits in that same timeframe, posting a 13-73 (.151) mark during games in which they have trailed by 10 points or more. Nine of those 13 victories, however, have come since the start of the 2010-11 season, including their 61-52 win at William & Mary on Jan. 8 and their 84-83 overtime triumph against Georgia State on Feb. 17.

Youth Movement

According to research conducted by the athletic communications department at St. John's University, UNCW Head Coach Adell Harris is one of the youngest Division I head coaches in the country.

• Harris is the 10th youngest head coach in the nation based on birth date, having celebrated her 32nd birthday on May 1, just two days before accepting the head coaching position at UNCW.
• Harris is the youngest coach in the CAA, but not the youngest in the state of North Carolina. That honor goes to High Point Head Coach DeUnna Hendrix. The 28-year-old is in her first season as head coach of the Panthers.

Freeman, Lee Making Their Way Up School's Three-Point Chart

Senior Tawanna Lee and redshirt junior Jessica Freeman are both making their way up the school's career three-point field goals made chart.

• Freeman currently sits in 6th place on the all-time list with105 3-pointers made while Lee is in 8th place with 91 treys made.
• Freeman entered the program's top ten list for career three-point field goals made with her three made trifectas in UNCW's game at Northern Kentucky on Dec. 20. One of six players to make 100 3-pointers in their UNCW career, Freeman enters tonight's game five triples away from matching Denise Marsh for fifth place on the all-time list (110).
• Lee, meanwhile, moved into the top 10 by knocking down four 3-point attempts against Hofstra on Feb. 5. She begins today's contest six trifectas away from matching Tressa Reese for seventh place on the all-time list.
• Both players have been consistent from beyond the arc during their careers, with Freeman seventh (.339) and Lee 10th (.335) on the squad's chart for career three-point field goal percentage. Freeman led the league in three-point field goal percentage in 2011-12 (.414), while Lee is tied for 11th on the circuit this season in that category (.333).

Hail To the Thief

Junior guard Jessica Freeman is rapidly moving up the program's top 10 list of career steals leaders.

• Currently in fourth place on the program's all-time steals chart, Freeman entered the top 10 on Jan. 31, recording five steals against William & Mary to surpass Johnnie Smith to gain entry on the the school's all-time thefts chart.
• Freeman enters today's contest with 188 career steals and is eight thefts shy of matching Shiela Patterson for third place on the program's all-time list (196).
• Thievery is nothing new for the Charlotte, N.C. native as Freeman ranked sixth in the league in steals in 2011-12 (2.2). She currently ranks third among all league players in that category (2.5).
• Freeman has turned some memorable steals performances during her career. She matched a CAA tournament record with eight steals in the Seahawks victory over the Pride in the 2012 tournament quarterfinals and recently established a new career high with nine steals in the Seahawks contest against Hofstra on Feb. 5.
• Eight of Freeman's nine steals against the Pride on Feb. 5 came in the first half, representing the most steals in a single half this season by a Division I player.

The 20-20 Club

Senior Karneshia Garrett joined an exclusive club with her performance against Georgia State on Feb. 17.

• Garrett finished with career highs of 22 points and 20 rebounds in the overtime victory against the Panthers, becoming the first UNCW player to record 20 or more points and rebounds in the same game since the 1987-88 season.
• Sharon McDowell was the last Seahawk player to accomplish the feat, finishing with 20 points and 20 rebounds against East Carolina Feb. 27, 1988.

Garrett Gains Entry Onto Single-season Rebounding List

Senior Karneshia Garrett enters today's contest tied for ninth place on the program's single season rebounding chart.

• Garrett has grabbed 278 rebounds in 25 games this season, matching Gwen Austin's total from the 1981-82 season.
• Garrett has averaged 11.1 rebounds per game this season, the fifth highest single-season total in school history. She has pulled down double-digit rebounds in 15 of 25 games played this season, including a career-high 20 rebounds in the Seahawks' overtime victory against Georgia State on Feb. 17.

Garrett receives CAA Honor

UNCW senior forward Karneshia Garrett was named CAA Co-Player-of-the-Week on Feb. 18.

• A native of Hoover, Ala., Garrett averaged 18.5 points and 19.5 rebounds in leading the Seahawks to a 1-1 mark against George Mason and Georgia State.
• Garrett shot 51.9 percent (14-of-27) from the floor and 69.2 percent (9-of-13) from the free-throw line as she played all but two of UNCW's 85 minutes on the floor.
• Garrett opened the week with 15 points and 19 rebounds versus George Mason on Thursday and followed that performance with career highs of 22 points, 20 rebounds and six blocked shots in the Seahawks' overtime victory against Georgia State on Sunday.

Harris, McGowen Reunited

When UNCW Head Coach Adell Harris took over the Seahawks program last May, she was already familiar with one player on her new roster from her time at Tusculum College.

• Harris coached current UNCW senior Chelsea McGowen at Tusculum during the 2009-10 season.
• Together the duo combined to lead the Pioneers to a 23-10 overall record, the South Atlantic Conference Tournament championship and an appearance in the NCAA Elite Eight.
• McGowen averaged 2.1 points and 1.7 rebounds during her freshman season before transferring to Brunswick Community College for the 2011-12 campaign.

Seahawks Tabbed Seventh, Garrett Preseason Honorable Mention

UNCW was picked to finish seventh overall during the upcoming 2012-13 season and senior forward Karneshia Garrett was a Honorable Mention Preseason All-CAA selection.

• The Seahawks and George Mason were selected to finish seventh in a vote of the league's 11 head coaches, ahead of Towson, William & Mary and Georgia State.
• Delaware was picked to repeat as regular-season champion while James Madison was tabbed to finish second. Hofstra was picked third, followed by Drexel, Old Dominion, Northeastern, UNCW and George Mason (tie), Towson and William & Mary (tie) and Georgia State.
• Garrett earned Honorable Mention Preseason All-CAA accolades after appearing in 32 games and making 21 starts during her first season with the program in 2011-12. She averaged 9.8 points and 7.5 rebounds while pacing the team with six double-doubles.

Up Next

UNCW closes out the home portion of its 2012-13 schedule Wednesday with a 7 p.m. contest versus Towson.