UNC Wilmington women’s basketball has won six of its last seven games and looks to continue this trend on a two-game road trip this weekend.

Fresh off the most historic weekend sweep of the Karen Barefoot-era, the Seahawks (11-5, 4-1 Colonial Athletic Association) will be tested against a Delaware team that UNCW has lacked success against in recent years and a Drexel squad which sits directly below the ‘Hawks in the CAA standings.

Player to watch

Redshirt senior Shrita Parker has been the driving force behind the Seahawks’ recent success. She racked up 37 points in last weekend’s two-game slate, coming in big down the stretch and helping the Seahawks rally in their two come-from-behind victories.

The Virginia Beach-native hit a game-winning three-pointer against James Madison last Friday and hit four of the last seven shots to pull UNCW over Towson on Sunday.

Parker currently averages a team-high 18.6 points per game and is shooting 41.6 percent from the floor.

With GiGi Smith as the only Seahawk averaging close to the numbers that Parker is putting up (14.4 ppg), UNCW will need big performances out of Parker in the games to come.

Blue Hen blues

While Delaware (6-11, 1-4 CAA) may not seem as a big a threat as it has in recent years, the Seahawks have annually struggled against the Blue Hens. The last time the ‘Hawks claimed a victory over Delaware was in 2015 by three points in overtime.

This season, the Blue Hens have struggled offensively. As a team, Delaware averages just 35 percent from the floor with that number dropping to 29 percent from beyond the arc. Turnovers have also been costly with the Hens giving the ball up over 16 times per contest. While the team averages 59 ppg, the small mistakes lead to big losses.

It will be interesting to see if UNCW can capitalize on those potential mistakes and create trouble for the Blue Hens.

Journey to the top

The more challenging game this weekend will come at the hands of Drexel (11-5, 3-2 CAA) which currently sits at no. 4 in the conference — a spot below and a game behind the Seahawks.

The Dragons have put together a strong offensive resume this season, shooting over 46 percent from the floor coupled with 36 rebounds per contest.

It will be crucial for the Seahawks to assert themselves in the interior, preventing Drexel from driving and grabbing boards. Chinyere Bell will be a key player in defending the paint for the ‘Hawks.

Must-wins

While the Seahawks knocked off both conference leaders last weekend, scheduling still has UNCW half-a-game behind both JMU and Towson.

This puts the Seahawks in a precarious position, as they’ve knocked off the two top squads in the CAA but still find themselves playing for the no. 1 spot. Delaware and Drexel are must-wins for UNCW as it continues its trek to a potential conference title.

UNCW’s contest against Delaware is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 25 with a noon tipoff while the ‘Hawks Sunday afternoon matchup with Drexel is set for a 2 p.m. tip.