PHILADELPHIA, Penn. — Denzel Ingram and Devontae Cacok poured in 22 points apiece on Thursday night to lead four players in double figures as the UNC-Wilmington men’s basketball team rolled to a 90-72 victory over Drexel.
The Seahawks grabbed their 11th win in 12 tries, improving to 3-0 in conference play and 14-2 overall. Meanwhile, Drexel dropped to 0-3 in league play and 6-10 on the year heading into a road game against William & Mary.
HIGHLIGHTS
With tonight's 90-72 win @uncwmenshoops moves to 3-0 in #CAAHoops play pic.twitter.com/I8rvnTmg6n
— CAA Basketball (@CAABasketball) January 6, 2017
UNCW shot 60.6 percent from the field in the opening half to build a 49-24 cushion at the break. Cacok recorded his fifth double-double in the result with 14 rebounds. He was 9 of 10 from the field. The Seahawks forced 14 turnovers and scored 14 points on the fast break.
“We were tremendous on the defensive end in the first half,” said UNCW Coach Kevin Keatts. “We came out with great passion and energy and did a great job. We just went up against a team that had some pride on their home floor and did a good job of coming back.”
Chris Flemmings helped propel a 14-2 run to start the game that culminated in a Flemmings three-pointer at the 15:49 mark. The CAA Preseason Player of the Year finished the night with 19 points and three treys. UNCW grew its lead to as many as 25 points as the half moved into the final minute on a long range shot by Ingram, who finished 8-of-14 from the field with six shots from beyond the arc to go along with five assists. The Dragons shot just 26 percent in the first half.
While Drexel held their own in the second half and chipped into the deficit by closing the gap to 78-69, with 5:34 left, the Dragons did not record another field goal over the final five minutes of the game. C.J. Bryce added 11 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in the win.
“I wanted our guys to play through some adversity,” Keatts said. “These guys have to figure things out on the floor. Our veterans stepped up and did a great job. I’m excited about another road win in the CAA and that’s what is most important.”
The Seahawks (3-0, 14-2) continue a brief two-game road trip in Newark, Delaware for a date with the Blue Hens on Saturday, Jan. 7, before hosting William & Mary on Jan. 12 at Trask Coliseum.