WILMINGTON, N.C. – UNC Wilmington reeled off 15 unanswered points late in the second half to pull away from UNC Pembroke, 65-47, in a collegiate women’s basketball exhibition Tuesday night at Trask Coliseum.

The Seahawks, beginning their 10^th season under Coach Ann Hancock, open the 2009-10 campaign Sunday with a 1 p.m. matinee against Wofford at Trask Coliseum.

Preseason All-CAA pick Brittany Blackwell of UNCW led all scorers with 18 points and also pulled down 10 boards for a double-double. Newcomer Jessica Freeman chipped in 11 points off the bench and junior center Martha White had 10 points and five caroms.

UNCP did not have a player in double digits. Reserve guard DeDe Cotten’s nine points was high for the Braves, who shot just 37.8 percent on the night.

In a game where the score was closer than the final outcome, UNCW forged out to a 30-23 halftime lead, survived a furious second-half comeback, and then finally put the NCAA Division II Braves away with a knockout blow in the final nine minutes.

Clinging to a 45-42 lead with 9:01 remaining in the second half, the Seahawks got a lift from Freeman, who keyed a decisive 15-0 spurt with a rare four-point play. Six different players scored in the seven-minute stretch that was capped by Kelsey Reitz’s jumper with 3:39 to play for a 59-42 bulge.

UNCW’s largest lead of the game came with just over a minute left when Freeman canned a trey for a 65-20 margin.

In the first period, Reitz ignited a 14-2 run with a driving layup that helped the Seahawks take their first double-digit lead of the contest, 23-10, with 7:06 remaining. The Braves of the Peach Belt Conference fought back, however, scoring 13 of the final 20 points in the opening frame to cut the deficit to seven, 30-23, at the break.

UNCW regained its double-digit advantage, 38-27, with an 11-4 rally early in the second half before the Braves crept within, 44-42, on a three-pointer by senior guard Porcha Locklear.

NOTES: UNCW held a 26-14 rebounding edge in the first half…The two teams combined to shoot 10-for -31 from three-point range…Former UNCW men’s basketball player John Haskins was head coach of the UNCP team…UNCW enjoyed a 19-5 advantage on the offensive glass…Nine different players scored for the Seahawks…Blackwell led the team in scoring, rebounding and assists…Neither team shot over 40 percent from the field in the contest…Freeman and Mya Levels were making their collegiate debuts…UNCW had nine steals and five blocks…The Seahawks forced 20 turnovers by the Braves.

-Courtesy UNCW Sports Information