WILMINGTON – UNCW continued its long range assault and tied the school record for regular season victories by ripping James Madison, 88-73, in Colonial Athletic Association men’s basketball action on Thursday night at Trask Coliseum.
The Seahawks (22-4, 11-2) won for the 11th time in 13 games heading into the final five games of the regular season. Coupled with Northeastern’s 73-72 upset at Charleston, UNCW regains sole possession of first place in the CAA.
With an 88-73 win @uncwmenshoops is back on top of the #CAAHoops standings solo!
HIGHLIGHTS pic.twitter.com/ypbC1Koux1
— CAA Basketball (@CAABasketball) February 10, 2017
With the win, the Seahawks matched the 22 regular season wins posted one year ago by the program’s fifth NCAA Tournament team that closed at 25-8 overall. Only seven teams have won 20 or more games in the history of the program, including the last two clubs.
Sophomore guard C.J. Bryce of UNCW led all scorers in the contest with 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting. He was joined in double figures by senior guard Denzel Ingram (15), senior guard Chris Flemmings (13) and graduate guard Ambrose Mosley (12).
UNCW took a 47-24 cushion into halftime behind 64 percent shooting and withstood a brief second-half rally by the Dukes to sweep the regular season series for the second straight year. The Seahawks have now won six in a row over the Virginia-based club.
The Seahawks sizzled from deep early for the second straight game, hitting their first five three-point field goal attempts to grab a quick 23-12 advantage. Bryce and Ingram each made their first three field goals and Jordon Talley’s trey on the right side helped the Seahawks double up the Dukes, 20-10.
UNCW begins a three-game road swing on Saturday by traveling up Interstate 40 to play Elon in a 4 p.m. tip-off at Alumni Gym.
