UNCW closes 2025 with 65-53 win over Drexel

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY) — UNCW men’s basketball is now 2-0 in CAA play following a 65-53 win over Drexel on New Year’s Eve.

The Seahawks traded blows with the Dragons early and trailed 10-8 only to go on a 13-3 run and never look back.

Despite putting up 100 and 87 points in their last pair of contests, UNCW’s 65 in this game was their fewest in any game this season. However, the defense compensated by allowing the fewest in any game this season.

(Photo: Colton Emswiler/WWAY)

Head Coach Takayo Siddle says they were somewhat caught off guard by Drexel’s game plan, but was thrilled by his team’s performance.

“It’s crazy,” Siddle said. “We worked on defending something completely different than what they did today. I thought our guys adjusted really well. We were going under pick and rolls when they had a traditional big in. I thought offensively, it was a struggle for a while, but we took care of it. We finished around the rim, made our free throws. Very proud of the guys for closing the game out.”

Nolan Hodge and Noah Ross led the way with 17 and 11 points respectively. The latter also grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds.

The Seahawks have not let the holidays slow them down as they are now 3-0 since Christmas Day.

(Photo: Colton Emswiler/WWAY)

“We have stuff pretty much every day,” Ross said. “The staff does a pretty good job of keeping us locked in. We’re around the facility on the clock. We’ve got a really mature group that wants to be in the gym. Not too many guys are focused on the holidays or getting too tied up to that stuff. Happy we’re 2-0, but there’s still a lot out there for us to go get.”

UNCW will be back at home on Saturday when they face Hampton. Watch that game on WWAY’s The CW channel starting at 7 p.m.

Click here to see the box score of Wednesday’s game.