Thank the kids

Shrita Parker scored the game's first basket and with it the approving screams of 4,000-plus elementary school children.

"I felt a little emotional actually," the UNCW redshirt senior said. "It was something in my body that said put your hands up. Hearing them scream so loud, I was inspired. Motivated, inspired. I love it."

And so the raucous atmosphere fueled by the Seahawks Tomorrow promotion gave the Seahawks added motivation to defeat Charleston 71-49 in their CAA opener on Friday afternoon.

An announced attendance of 4,511 from Alderman, Holly Tree, Ogden, Pine Valley, Castle Hayne and other New Hanover County elementary schools made it tough on the visiting Cougars from the opening tip.

An 18-4 second quarter spurt by UNCW didn't make it any easier, which gave the Seahawks (8-4, 1-0 CAA) separation after a first quarter where both barely missed shots.

"It was a track meet the first quarter and that's not what we want," UNCW coach Karen Barefoot said. "We want to take pride in defense, so we had to settle in."

That led to fast break points and a balanced offense. Nine Seahawks scored, led by Parker's 17. She was one of four in double figures, joined by Lacey Suggs (16), GiGi Smith (13) and Chinyere Bell (12), who was difficult to stop in the paint.

Smith hasn't missed the 10-point or more mark all season and was one rebound short of a double-double.

"We're deep, and that's making everyone feel confident, so our depth really wore them out," Barefoot said.

The Seahawks, winners of three-straight, play next Friday at William & Mary.

Second quarter defense

A stretch that began with a shot clock violation and a charge taken by Ahyiona Vason was a welcome sight to Barefoot, who worried about focus with the largest crowd at Trask to see her club in 2018-19.

"We really did a good job adjusting in the second quarter and really making sure we were going to own our identity on defense," Barefoot said. "That's just who we are: getting after it, pressing, forcing turnovers, getting out in transition, making easy shots.

"What a great defensive effort by our team. That's Seahawk basketball right there."

UNCW has not allowed 60 or more in its last nine home games dating back to last season. On Friday, it achieved another goal against the league's top scoring offense.

"We talked about holding them under 50," Barefoot said. "That's 20 points under their average. And we did that today, and we took pride in that."

Quotable

"I have sisters, and that's how I fell in love with the game was by watching them. I know how those children feel. We all do, because that's how we all fell in love with it. We just wanted to play for them. The energy, it was comfortable," Chinyere Bell said.