HEMPSTEAD, New York - Hofstra used a 12-0 run midway through the second half to break a 41-all tie and defeat UNCW, 66-55, in Colonial Athletic Association women's basketball action Sunday at the Mack Sports Complex.

Tied for third place with UNCW and Drexel in the league standings entering today's contest, the Pride improved to 19-9 overall and 11-7 in league play and clinched a first-round bye in the upcoming CAA Women's Basketball Championship with the victory. The Seahawks, meanwhile, slipped to 17-11 overall and 10-7 in conference play as they moved into sole possession of fifth place.

Junior Shante Evans poured in 24 points and grabbed 15 rebounds to post her 15th double-double of the season to lead Hofstra. Senior Marie Malone was the only other Pride player to reach double figures, chipping in 12 points as Hofstra was just 24-of-72 from the field (.333) and 4-of-15 (.267) from three-point range. Senior Candice Bellocchio dished out a team-high six assists.

Sophomore Abria Trice tallied 13 points and junior Tawanna Lee added 11 for UNCW, who shot 34.3 percent (23-of-67) from the floor for the game, including a season-low 1-of-14 (.071) from three-point range.

Junior Ayoola Weaver joined the duo in double figures as she scored 10 points and added a team-best 10 rebounds for her third double-double of the season. Sophomore Alisha Andrews handed out a game-best seven assists.

With the score deadlocked for the sixth time of the day at 41-all, a jumper by Evans with 12:27 remaining sparked the Pride to the 12-0 spurt that lasted just over four minutes and gave Hofstra a 53-41 advantage with 8:07 to play.

A jumper by Freeman quelled the run and sent the Seahawks on a stretch that saw UNCW score eight of the next 10 points and make it a 55-49 contest with 4:30 remaining.

The Pride would regain their double-figure lead moments later, using an 11-4 run to take its largest lead of the game, 66-53, with 1:18 showing on the clock. A pair of free throws by Trice would determine the final margin.

In the first half, a three-pointer by Loper sparked the Pride to a 15-7 spurt and a 26-17 advantage with 2:35 remaining.

An Andrews jumper from the right baseline at the 2:04 mark of the opening frame halted the Hofstra spurt and sent the Seahawks on an 15-7 run of their own that extended into the early part of the second half and gave UNCW its first lead of the game, 34-33, at the 16:36 mark.

The two sides would then trade baskets over the next three and a half minutes before a pair of free throws by Lee knotted the score at 41-all at the 12:41 mark and set up the Pride's game-changing run.

Both teams return to action Wednesday as they close out the regular season with league contests. UNCW hosts Georgia State while Hofstra travels to Northeastern. Both games are scheduled for 7 p.m. tip-offs.

GAME NOTES:

• The Seahawks saw their two-game winning streak against the Pride come to an end with the loss on Sunday as they moved to 11-10 versus the Pride. UNCW also moved to 4-7 versus Hofstra at the Mack Sports Complex.
• UNCW shot below 40 percent from the floor for the 13th time this season and moved to 3-10 when doing so. The Seahawks also slipped to 9-16 under Cooper-Dyke when limiting to less than 40 percent shooting from the field.
• The Seahawks one three-point field goal made was a season-low in that category, eclipsing the old mark of two set on two previous occasions (at Delaware; Towson).
• UNCW posted a season-high for free-throw percentage, making eight of its nine attempts from the charity stripe for .889 conversion rate.
• The Seahawks dished out double-figure assists for the 25th time this season as they posted 13 assists against the Pride.
• Hofstra held a 20-4 edge in points off turnovers, including a 11-2 advantage in the second half.
• UNCW pulled down 47 rebounds against the Pride, finishing one shy of matching their season-high in that category (48 versus William and Mary). The two teams ended the game tied at 47-all on the glass.
• The Seahawks finished 20 or more turnovers for the 11th time this season and the first time in five games as it committed 20 miscues versus Hofstra.
• UNCW failed to record double-figure steals for the 11th time this season and the eighth time in the last 11 games as it finished with eight thefts against the Pride.
• The Seahawks slipped to 5-10 this season and 8-17 under Cooper-Dyke when an opponent builds a lead of 10 or more points.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES:

2 - Tawanna Lee

• Reached double figures in points for the 14th time this season and the second time in three games.

4 - Alisha Andrews

• Moved into fourth place on the program's all-time assists list with her seven assists against the Pride. Surpassed Sissy Morse for fifth place (294) during the contest.
• Led team in assists for the 18th this season and the 42nd time in her career.

10 - Abria Trice

• Reached double figure in points for the 14th time this season and the eighth time in the last nine games.
• Led team in scoring for the seventh time this season.

32 - Ayoola Weaver

• Reached double figures in points for the seventh time this season.
• Grabbed double figure rebounds for the fifth time this season.
• Led team in rebounding for the 10th time this season.