DURHAM, N.C. (Interstat) — UNC Wilmington built a large second-half lead and withstood a furious fourth-quarter rally to defeat North Carolina Central 78-68 in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game Friday at McLendon-McDougald Gymnasium.

The Seahawks (1-1) led by 23 points after a dominant 27-point third quarter but had to hold on as the Eagles (0-2) answered with 28 points in the final period. Rori Cox led all scorers with 21 points for UNCW, while Icyss Storm added 14. Aniya Finger scored 19 points for North Carolina Central in the loss.