Preview: Northeastern at UNC Wilmington Women’s Basketball

WILMINGTON, N.C. (Interstat) — Two teams seeking momentum to open their Colonial Athletic Association schedules will meet Friday when the Northeastern Huskies visit the UNC Wilmington Seahawks at Trask Coliseum.

Both sides enter the Jan. 2 contest with identical 4-6 records, though their paths have diverged recently. Northeastern snapped a two-game skid with its most impressive win of the season, a 73-67 road victory over Atlantic Coast Conference foe Boston College on Dec. 19. UNC Wilmington (4-7) is coming off a 76-37 win over non-Division I Columbia International on Monday, but has lost three of its last four against Division I opponents, including lopsided defeats at North Carolina and Longwood.

The Huskies will lean on forward Justice Tramble, who dominated Boston College with 16 rebounds and nine points in 32 minutes. Her presence on the glass will be critical against a Seahawks frontcourt. Guard Yirsy Quéliz (11 points, four assists) and forward Nariyah Simmons (16 points) also provided key contributions in that win.

For the Seahawks, forward Angelina Pelayo is a focal point. She tallied 14 points, three assists and three blocks in 23 minutes against Columbia International. Her defensive activity will be tested by Tramble and the Huskies’ interior play. Guards Icyss Storm and Paige Smith, who each scored 11 and 14 points respectively in the last outing, provide backcourt scoring.

The matchup begins a pivotal stretch for both programs as conference play intensifies. Northeastern continues its road trip at College of Charleston on Sunday. UNC Wilmington hosts Hofstra on Sunday.

Friday’s game tips off at 7 p.m. Eastern.