WILMINGTON, N.C. — Marley Long recorded her first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds to lead William & Mary women's basketball to a 60–41 victory over UNC Wilmington on Sunday afternoon at Trask Coliseum.
The win marks the Tribe's eighth-straight victory over the Seahawks and improves William & Mary to 14–13 overall and 7–9 in CAA play. UNCW falls to 6–21 and 2–14 in conference action.
Long was active on both ends of the floor, grabbing six offensive rebounds and anchoring a Tribe effort that outrebounded the Seahawks, 46–29. Cassidy Geddes added a team-high 12 points, while Monet Dance chipped in 11 points and seven rebounds.
Ari Mercado provided a spark off the bench, pouring in a career-high nine points on a perfect 2-of-2 shooting from the field and 4-of-4 from the free-throw line. Natalie Fox contributed eight points and eight rebounds, and Jana Sallman added seven points and six boards.
William & Mary never trailed in the contest, jumping out to a 16–12 lead after the first quarter and extending the margin to 32–24 at halftime. The Tribe pushed the advantage to 49–36 through three quarters before holding UNCW to just five points in the final frame.
As a team, William & Mary shot 36.1% (22-of-61) from the field and held the Seahawks to just 29.2% (14-of-48) shooting. The Tribe also forced 21 turnovers, converting them into 24 points.
First Quarter
Long set the tone early, scoring six points in the opening period as the Tribe built a steady lead. Geddes added a late 3-pointer, and William & Mary closed the quarter in front, 16–12.
Second Quarter
The Tribe found its rhythm offensively, stretching the lead to as many as 16 points midway through the quarter. Dance knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers during a key run, helping William & Mary carry a 32–24 advantage into halftime.
Third Quarter
Mercado highlighted the third with a 3-pointer as the Tribe maintained control. Geddes and Long added key baskets to keep the Seahawks at bay, and William & Mary took a 49–36 lead into the final period.
Fourth Quarter
William & Mary's defense sealed the victory, limiting UNCW to just five points in the quarter. Mercado scored six points in the frame, and Fox added a late layup as the Tribe secured the 19-point win.
Up Next
William & Mary returns home for its final home game of the regular season on Thursday, March 5, when it hosts Elon at 7 p.m. inside Kaplan Arena in Williamsburg, Va.
