CCU

Men's Basketball Loses Heartbreaker to UNC Wilmington, 64-61

       

Men's Basketball Loses Heartbreaker to UNC Wilmington, 64-61

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CONWAY, S.C.- UNC Wilmington snapped Coastal Carolina’s two-game winning streak Saturday evening, 64-61, at Kimbel Arena. The Chants fall to 2-7, while the Seahawks improve to 5-3.

The game was a see-saw battle in the early going, as there were four ties and four lead changes in the first half. Junior Colin Stevens (Phoenix, Md./Delany) hit a three-pointer to put Coastal up one at 23-22 with 5:15 to play in the first half and give the Chants their last lead of the game. UNCW then answered with a 9-1 run over the next four minutes to lead by seven, 31-24, with 1:04 to play in the first. Senior Alvin Green (Socastee, S.C./Socastee) drained a three-pointer with just three seconds to cut the lead to 31-27 going into the lockerroom. Green was the star of the first half for CCU, netting 10 points on 4-for-6 shooting from the floor and a perfect 2-for-2 from three-point land.

The Seahawks led by double-digits throughout most of the second half, building the margin to as many as 12. With the score 57-46 UNCW with 4:58 to play, the Chants started their comeback on a three-pointer by freshman Jack Leasure (Rochester, N.Y./McQuaid Jesuit). Coastal got it down to one at 57-56 with 2:28 to go, but T.J. Carter’s three-pointer pushed the lead back to four with 1:15 to play. A free throw by Taylor Lay made it 61-56 with 38 seconds to go, but Coastal didn’t give up and got it to one at 62-61 with 14 seconds left on senior Clint Nagel’s (Loveland, Ohio/Moeller) conventional three-point play. After a dunk by Carter wtih nine second left, Green put up a desperation three with no time remaining that fell short.

The boards were a key in this game, as the Seahawks out rebounded the Chants 37-21. Another difference was the free-throw line, as UNCW was 15-for-22, while Coastal was just 12-for-20. Leasure and Stevens led Coastal with 13 points each. Stevens finished the day 4-for-6 from the floor and 3-for-4 from the three-point arc. UNCW was led by Carter and John Goldsberry, who each poured in 15, while Taylor Lay chipped in 14.

The Chants return to action Wed., Dec. 22 when they travel to the College of Charleston. Game time is set for 7 p.m.