Freshman forward Joelle Connelly had 15 points, her first double figure scoring game since January 15, and senior guard Niki Williams led Hofstra with 16 points, but it wasn't enough as Hofstra dropped a 72-62 decision to UNC Wilmington on Sunday afternoon at Trask Coliseum.

Junior guard Sam Brigham was also in double figures for Hofstra as she chipped in with 12 points.

Hofstra falls to 14-10 overall and 6-7 in conference play with the loss.  UNC Wilmington won their second straight game and evened their overall record at 12-12 and improved to 6-7 in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) action.

Hofstra would hold the Seahawks without a point over the first 5:29 of the contest, opening up a small 4-0 advantage at the time, courtesy of layups from freshman guard Asia Jenkins and sophomore guard Aamira Terry.  UNC Wilmington would battle back, though, as the Seahawks scored 14 of the game's next 18 points to lead 14-8 following a three-pointer from Greta Luksyte at the 8:30 mark. 

The lead for UNC Wilmington would grow to as much as nine points after a free throw from Kristen Hanzer with 34 seconds to play in the opening stanza before the Seahawks took an eight-point lead into the break.  Hofstra had a balanced attack in the opening stanza as six different players scored for the Pride, led by five points apiece from Brigham and Williams.

Baskets from Luksyte and Sheronda McLean to open the second half would give the Seahawks a 12-point advantage, their largest of the contest thus far.  After the lead had grown to 14, Hofstra would slowly chip away at the deficit and would score five straight points to close to within 42-33 after an offensive rebound and putback from Connelly with 12:29 to play in regulation. 

Nine points would be as close as Hofstra would get until the waning moments of the contest, as UNC Wilmington scored five straight points to push the lead back up to 14 (49-35), with 9:56 remaining. 

Junior center Jess Fuller pulled down a team-best seven rebounds, while also scoring six points. 

Brittany Blackwell had a game-high 21 points and added eight rebounds, while Luksyte chipped in with 11 points for the Seahawks.

Hofstra will return home to the Mack Sports Complex on Thursday when they host Old Dominion at 12 p.m.  The special noon tip-off is part of "Family Fun Day".  For more information and to purchase tickets to the game please call the Hofstra Box Office at 516-463-TIXX.

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