Before this season, the UNC Wilmington women’s basketball team had a 0-42 lifetime record against Old Dominion. The Seahawks got their first-ever win against the Monarchs on Jan. 22 to break the nation’s third all-time losing streak to the same opponent.

UNCW had a chance to complete the season sweep of its CAA counterpart, Sunday, but ODU survived a late rally by the Seahawks and escaped with a 59-57 victory in Trask Coliseum. The game was UNCW’s annual Play 4 Kay/Molly Maid Pink Game, in which the Seahawks donned pink uniforms and other apparel to support breast cancer awareness.

“When you play in the CAA conference, the one thing you have got to be is ready to play,” said UNCW coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke. “No matter whether you are playing at home, fighting for breast cancer or whatever you’re doing, you’ve got to be ready to play and we weren’t today.”

The Monarchs opened the game with a 10-2 run as UNCW struggled offensively throughout most of the first half, shooting 31 percent. The Seahawks didn’t break double digits until junior guard Jessica Freeman hit a jumper at the 6:12 mark to make it 19-11.

After being down 31-23 at intermission, UNCW came out aggressive in the second half. Led by sophomore Alisha Andrews, the Seahawks went on a 9-1 run to tie the game at 36 with 16:40 remaining.

UNCW’s comeback effort was aided by their defensive intensity. The Seahawks started running a full court press, pressuring the ball and getting into the passing lanes to create miscues by Old Dominion’s offense. The Seahawks forced 13 turnovers in the second half alone, with eight of those coming off steals.

Junior Karneshia Garrett’s layup with 9:36 to play gave UNCW its first lead of the game at 47-46. But, ODU sophomore Shakeva Richards answered immediately with a three-pointer on the ensuing possession to give the Monarchs the advantage for good.

The Seahawks were down seven with six minutes left before Andrews, who had a game-high 20 points, hit one of her four three-pointers to start a late rally. The star point guard hit a layup to cut the deficit to 59-57 with 1:58 remaining, but those would be the last points scored in the contest.

UNCW’s poor offensive execution in the half-court was much to blame for the loss. The Seahawks shot 37 percent for the game, compared to 47 percent for the Monarchs.

“I’m not a fan of losing in order to learn, but maybe that’s what this team needs to do: lose in order to learn,” said Cooper-Dyke. “We have got to play hard in order to play well.”

ODU was led by Richards’ 13 points, while Tia Lewis chipped in with 11 points and a team-high seven rebounds. The Monarchs’ record improved to 9-16 (6-7 CAA) following the win, while UNCW saw their record drop to 15-9 (8-5 CAA).

The Seahawks travel to Harrisonburg, Va. on Thursday for a 7 p.m. matchup against James Madison, who is in second place in the CAA. The team will conclude the two-game road trip against William & Mary on Sunday at 2 p.m.