Sophomore forward Tiffany Benson posted career highs of 21 points and seven blocks to lead William & Mary to a 67-57 victory over UNCW in Colonial Athletic Association women’s basketball action Sunday afternoon at Trask Coliseum.

The Tribe improved to 12-15 on the season and 6-9 in CAA action as they halted a four-game losing skid. The Seahawks fell to 16-10 overall and 7-8 in league play as they saw their five-game winning streak snapped.

Benson paced four W&M players in double figures as sophomore guard Kelly Heath added 15 and senior forwards Kyra Kaylor and Devin James chipped in 11 apiece. Benson also grabbed 10 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season while Kaylor pulled down nine boards as the Tribe enjoyed a 37-31 edge on the boards. Freshman guard Katherine DeHenzel added eight steals and six assists.

Sophomore guard Greta Luksyte poured in a game-high 22 points on 8-of-11 shooting for UNCW. Luksyte was joined in double figures by junior forward Sahsha Taylor and freshman forward Brittany Blackwell, who added 12 points apiece. Junior guard Shade Smith dished out a game-high eight assists.

With the score tied at 42-all with 7:38 remaining, Kaylor hit a jumper to spark a 16-2 run over the next 4:34 to give the Tribe a 58-44 lead with 3:39 left in the contest. Benson and Kaylor keyed the pivotal W&M stretch, teaming up to tally 11 of the 16 points scored in that time frame.

A 5-0 UNCW mini-spurt followed the Tribe run to pull the Seahawks within nine, 58-49, with 1:47 on the clock. The two teams then proceeded to trade baskets over the remaining time to determine the final margin.

Blackwell and Luksyte combined to give the Seahawks a 12-6 lead to open the contest, scoring all of the team’s first 12 points. A 10-4 Tribe run quickly evened the score at 16-all before a three from Luksyte and a jumper from Taylor pushed the UNCW cushion to five, 21-16, with 7:39 left in the opening frame.

The Tribe closed out the half strong, scoring 12 of the final 17 points of the frame to take a 28-25 lead into the locker room. W&M held its lead throughout the early part of the second half, holding a 42-35 cushion with 11:27 on the clock before a 7-0 UNCW spurt evened the score at 42-all and set up the Tribe’s game-changing run.

Both teams are home Thursday at 7 p.m. with CAA contests. UNCW welcomes Northeastern to Trask Coliseum while William & Mary hosts Hofstra.

Notes: The Tribe has won five of the last six meetings … W&M held a 24-4 edge in bench points and a 18-4 edge in second-chance points … The Tribe also enjoyed a 24-12 edge in free-throws attempted … Junior forward Sahsha Taylor four rebounds moved her into ninth place on the school’s all-time rebounding list … Blackwell’s six rebounds was her lowest rebounding output since a five-board effort at Old Dominion on Feb. 3 … Smith’s eight assists were one shy of matching her season-high, set against Elon on Nov. 27 … Smith also accounted for eight of UNCW’s 12 assists in the contest … There were four ties and one lead change during the game …  Today’s game also served as the program’s annual senior day as seniors Stephanie Fernald and Becca Papach were honored in a ceremony following the game.

-Courtesy UNCW Sports Information