Feb. 9, 2003

Box Score

WILMINGTON, N.C. - Senior center Shameka Montgomery scored a career-high 24 points to surpass her 1,000th career point and led three Seahawk players in double figures as UNC Wilmington eased past George Mason, 86-64, in Colonial Athletic Association women's basketball action Sunday at Trask Coliseum.

The Seahawks improve to 16-4 overall and 8-3 in the CAA. The Patriots drop their third straight game, falling to 8-10 overall and 5-6 in conference play.

Montgomery scored 12 of her 24 points in the first half, finishing 7-of-12 from the floor and converting a career-high 10-of-11 free throw attempts with nine rebounds. Junior guard Cherie Lea added 17 points for her 11th consecutive game in double figures and dished out a team-high six assists. Junior guard Jennifer Kapper scored 16 points, while junior forward Tracy Morgan pulled down a season-high 13 rebounds.

Junior guard Jen Derevjanik led three Patriot players in double figures with 16 points while grabbing five rebounds. Junior guard Vernessa Neamo scored 11 points with a team-high nine rebounds and doled out four assists. Senior forward Shelbylynn McBride added 10 points for the Patriots.

UNCW jumped to a 40-28 lead at halftime, shooting 44.8% (13-of-29) from the field. Montgomery recorded her 1,000th career point at the 7:40 mark in the first half on a drive to the basket where she was fouled and converted the three-point play. The momentum swung the Seahawks way as they went on an 8-0 run to build their biggest lead in the first half, 34-19, with 5:22 remaining.

The Seahawks put the game away early in the second half with a 15-2 run to expand their lead to 55-34. Montgomery ignited the game breaking run with a three-point play.

The Seahawks held a 48-36 advantage on the boards, as they swept the Patriots for the first time since the 1999-2000 season.

The Patriots travel to CAA member Drexel for a 7:00 p.m. game Thursday.