WILMINGTON, N.C. (Interstat) — Amaris Baker scored 24 points to guide Drexel to a 76-67 victory over UNC Wilmington in a Colonial Athletic Association women’s basketball game Sunday at Trask Coliseum. The Dragons improved to 9-7 overall by capitalizing on turnovers, scoring 22 points off Seahawks mistakes. UNC Wilmington managed only six points off turnovers. Drexel also held a 44-38 edge in points in the paint. Baker added five rebounds and four assists in 38 minutes for Drexel. Molly Rullo contributed 15 points and Grace O’Neill just missed a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds. Rori Cox led the Seahawks, who fell to 5-12, with 21 points and seven rebounds. Kylah Silver added 14 points for UNC Wilmington. Drexel led by nine after the first quarter and maintained control throughout, despite a game-high 21 points from Cox.

WILMINGTON, N.C. (Interstat) — Amaris Baker scored 24 points and Drexel used a dominant first quarter and a decisive edge in points off turnovers to defeat UNC Wilmington 76-67 in a Colonial Athletic Association women’s basketball game Sunday at Trask Coliseum. The Dragons, who led by as many as 16 points in the first half, improved to 9-7 overall. The Seahawks dropped to 5-12. Baker, a 5-foot-7 guard from Philadelphia, added five rebounds and four assists in 38 minutes, spearheading a Drexel attack that capitalized on 22 Seahawks turnovers, converting them into 22 points. UNC Wilmington managed just six points off Drexel’s 14 turnovers. The most important stretch of the game came at the outset, as Drexel established immediate control. Deja Evans won the opening tip and scored on a layup just 22 seconds in. After UNC Wilmington’s Rori Cox answered with a 3-pointer, the Dragons embarked on a 13-0 run over the next four and a half minutes. Baker had six points during the surge, which included layups from Evans and Molly Rullo and a Grace O’Neill jumper. The run was fueled by aggressive defense, resulting in three Seahawks turnovers that Drexel converted into easy baskets. By the end of the first quarter, Drexel led 21-9, having held UNC Wilmington to just three field goals. The Dragons extended the lead to 16 points in the second quarter before the Seahawks mounted a response. UNC Wilmington, led by Cox’s 21 points and seven rebounds, chipped away at the deficit throughout the second and third quarters. A 3-pointer by Paige Smith with 35 seconds left in the third period capped a 15-4 Seahawks run and cut Drexel’s lead to 46-43 heading into the final quarter. The fourth quarter saw multiple pushes from the home team. A driving layup by Kylah Silver brought UNC Wilmington within 57-55 with 5:50 remaining. Each time the Seahawks threatened, however, Drexel had an answer, often from Baker or through its interior play. Following Silver’s basket, Grace O’Neill found Molly Rullo for a layup. After another Cox score made it a two-point game again, O’Neill connected on a crucial jumper from the elbow off a Baker assist to push the lead back to four. Drexel’s defense then forced a shot-clock violation, and on the ensuing possession, Baker drove for a layup to make it 63-57 with 2:21 left. UNC Wilmington got within four points once more in the final minute, but Drexel sealed the game at the free-throw line. Baker made three of four attempts in the final 41 seconds, and Mariah Watkins added two more to close out the victory. Beyond Baker’s performance, Drexel received balanced contributions. Rullo finished with 15 points, five rebounds and three assists. Evans had 11 points, four rebounds and three blocks. O’Neill nearly recorded a triple-double with 10 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Watkins added 10 points and seven rebounds. For UNC Wilmington, Cox’s 21 points led all scorers. Silver contributed 14 points, and Smith added 12 points and five rebounds. Mary Ferrito dished out six assists but was held to nine points. Drexel’s interior presence was a key factor, outscoring UNC Wilmington 44-38 in the paint and blocking six shots. The Dragons also won the rebounding battle 42-35. National Statistical’s ELO system had given Drexel an 83.8% probability to win entering the contest. The Dragons now look ahead to a home matchup with Stony Brook on Friday. UNC Wilmington will host College of Charleston on the same night.

Preview: Drexel Dragons at UNC Wilmington Seahawks WILMINGTON, N.C. (Interstat) — Two Colonial Athletic Association women’s basketball teams seeking momentum will meet Sunday when the Drexel Dragons visit the UNC Wilmington Seahawks at Trask Coliseum. The Dragons (8-7, 1-3 CAA) enter after a 74-64 road loss to College of Charleston on Friday. Drexel’s offense has been inconsistent in conference play, averaging 59 points per CAA game. They will lean on forward Deja Evans, who scored 14 points with three blocks in the Charleston loss. Evans has been a focal point, posting 20-point performances in two of her last four games, including a 20-point, 7-rebound effort in a win over Hofstra on Jan. 11. The Seahawks (5-10, 1-3) have lost three straight, most recently a 79-68 defeat at Towson on Jan. 11. UNC Wilmington has struggled defensively, allowing an average of 77.5 points during its current skid. Guard Rori Cox provides a bright spot, coming off a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double against Towson. She has scored in double figures in five of her last six contests. This matchup represents a chance for both sides to stabilize their conference standing. Drexel will aim to leverage its interior presence, led by Evans, against a Seahawks defense that has faced scoring onslaughts. UNC Wilmington will look to Cox to ignite its offense and capitalize on home court to snap its losing streak. Historically, Drexel has dominated the series, winning the last 11 meetings. The Seahawks’ last victory over the Dragons came in February 2016. Following this game, Drexel will host Stony Brook next Friday. UNC Wilmington is set to host College of Charleston next Friday.