http://uncwsports.com/news/2016/12/28/wo...essee.aspx
Seahawks Return from Break to Visit Tennessee
WILMINGTON, North Carolina – With the Christmas holiday complete, it's time for the UNCW women's basketball team to return its focus to the court and the Seahawks will do just that on Thursday with a visit to Tennessee for a 7 p.m. showdown with the Lady Vols.
The Seahawks, who are 5-5 on the season, have been idle since posting a 91-65 victory over Catawba to close out a three-game homestand on Dec. 19. Junior guard Madison Raque, the Seahawks' leading scorer, erupted for a career-high 28 points to lead three UNCW players in double figures. Raque also connected on 8 of the Seahawks' school-record 15 made three-point field goals in the victory.
Junior guard Diamond Willis contributed a season-high 18 points in the win over Catawba while freshman guard Timber Tate came off the bench to add 11 points.
Raque, who has scored in double figures in 7-of-10 games this season, paces the UNCW offense with a 13.2 scoring average while playing a team-high 32.0 minutes per game. Junior center Rebekah Banks is grabbing a team-high 8.1 rebounds per game and has posted 10 caroms in four of the last five games.
Looking to extend its three-game win streak, Tennessee carries a 7-4 record into its penultimate non-conference game of the regular season after posting a 110-84 victory over Troy before the holidays. The Lady Vols, who earned their fifth win by 25 or more points this season, will be playing their fourth consecutive home game when they welcome the Seahawks on Thursday.
Junior center Mercedes Russell leads four Tennessee players who averaging more than 10 points per game. The Preseason All-Southeastern Conference Second Team pick is scoring 16.0 points per game and also boasts a team-high 9.2 rebounding average. She is also shooting 55 percent from the field.
Junior guard Diamond DeShields is scoring 15.3 points per game while junior forward Jaime Nared has contributed 14.6 points per contest. After erupting for a career-high 29 points in the win over Troy, junior guard Alexa Middleton is now bringing 10.8 scoring average into Thursday's contest.
Thursday's game will be the first-ever meeting between the Seahawks and the Lady Vols in women's basketball. The teams have one common opponent this season after Tennessee defeated James Madison, 81-69, in the season opener. UNCW opens Colonial Athletic Association play at JMU on Monday afternoon for the first of two meetings against the three-time defending league champions.
Season tickets for the 2016-17 UNCW women's basketball season are still available by calling 800-808-UNCW or by visiting UNCWSports.com/BuyTickets.