WILMINGTON, N.C. – Preseason All-CAA pick Brittany Blackwell pumped in a game-high 18 points as UNC Wilmington opened its 2009-10 women’s basketball season on a winning note with an 84-53 victory over visiting Wofford Sunday at Trask Coliseum. Blackwell, who averaged 13.8 ppg one year ago, scored 12 of her 18 points in the first half when the Seahawks built a 36-23 advantage. She drained five shots and added eight free-throws while grabbing 11 rebounds for the 17th double-double of her career. Blackwell also pitched in five assists and four steals in an all-around effort.

Seniors Greta Luksyte and Casey Sawhook and freshman joined Blackwell in double figures as Luksyte pitched in 12 points while Sawhook and Freeman chipped in 11 points apiece. Junior Martha White pitched in seven points, four rebounds and a career-high five blocks.

Cold-shooting Wofford, which connected on just 34.5 percent of its field goal attempts, was led by Mahagony Williams, who posted team-highs of 12 points and eight rebounds. Seniors Natalie Gramblin and Kelly Dwyer chipped in eight points apiece while senior Kathlyn Varno pulled down seven caroms.

The Seahawks, who return all five starters from last year’s 16-15 squad, jumped on top early and led wire-to-wire against the Terriers. With Blackwell providing the firepower, UNCW carved out an early 5-0 lead two minutes into the contest and maintained a multiple-possession lead the rest of the way to open Ann Hancock’s 10^th season with a victory.

UNCW posted its largest advantage of the opening period, 33-20, with 2:14 left on a Blackwell layup. The Raleigh, N.C., product connected on 8-for-10 at the free throw line and dished out five assists in the first 20 minutes.

The Seahawks cranked up the heat again at the beginning of the second period by outscoring the Terriers, 10-4, over the first five minutes to push the margin to 46-27. Blackwell canned a turnaround jumper on the left wing to stake UNCW to a 46-27 lead with 15:45 left to play.

The lead swelled would grow to as many as 35 points in the closing minutes as a reverse layup by Blackwell gave the Seahawks a 79-44 lead with exactly four minutes remaining.

UNCW returns to action on Thursday with its first road trip of the season when the Seahawks travel to rival East Carolina for a 7 p.m. clash against the Pirates. Wofford plays its home opener on Wednesday against Norfolk State at the Pope Convocation Center.

GAME NOTES: The Seahawks held a 47-40 rebounding margin in the contest … UNCW enjoyed a 26-6 edge in points off turnovers and a 16-4 advantage in fast break points … The two teams combined to shoot just 5-for-25 (.200) from three-point range … Nine different players scored for the Seahawks, with all those players tallying at least six points in the contest … Freshman Mia Levels scored her first collegiate points at 12:46 of the second half on an offensive rebound and putback… Redshirt freshman Jessica Cohen scored seven points, the first of her career, all in the second half … Junior Kelsey Reitz posted career-highs of six points and four rebounds.

-Courtesy UNCW