UNCW win clinches share of CAA crown, #2 tourney seed

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Dylan Sherwood and Marcus Bryan scored 14 points apiece as UNCW fought off Towson, 74-68, in the Colonial Athletic Association men’s basketball regular season finale for both clubs early Saturday at Trask Coliseum.

The Seahawks clinched at least a share of the CAA title and tied the school record for most regular season wins by improving to 22-7 on the season, including 14-4 in the CAA. It also marked the third time UNCW has won back-to-back regular season titles after hardware in 1997/98 and 2002/03.

The Tigers, which lost for third time in four starts, stand 20-11 and 11-7 in the CAA.

UNCW closed out the regular season with at least a share of the CAA crown, but did not win the school’s first outright crown in 13 years, because Hofstra beat Charleston 72-63.

“I’m excited to be a part of another championship,” said Kevin Keatts, who has piloted UNCW to two CAA regular season titles in two seasons. “Disappointment was an understatement after Thursday’s loss (to Hofstra). We felt like we should have won the game. Some adversity helps you grow as an individual and helps you as a team. I think we did, and bounced back. It means a lot and shows me a lot about these guys.”

Sherwood and Bryan anchored UNCW’s offensive attack and Chris Flemmings and Denzel Ingram chipped in 11 points each to give the Seahawks four in double figures. Junior forward John Davis paced Towson with 16 points, while sophomore guard Byron Hawkins collected 15 points and freshman guard Jordan McNeill had 12.

In a physical, tightly contested battle, the Seahawks and Tigers locked up in a rugged second half until Sherwood and Ingram ignited the home team down the stretch.

After McNeill’s three-pointer along the left wing lifted the Tigers to a 52-49 edge, Sherwood canned a triple from the left corner, Ingram made a pair of free throws and C.J. Gettys slammed a dunk home to put the Seahawks ahead, 56-52.

Towson responded to narrow the deficit to 58-57 before Ingram and Sherwood combined for eight straight points, capped by Sherwood’s banked trey at 6:16 that hiked the margin to 66-57.

Davis then dropped in two free throws for the Tigers, but UNCW strung together another six-point spurt and Jordon Talley’s teardrop in the paint gave the Seahawks a 72-59 lead they never relinquished.

Towson jumped out to a quick 9-5 lead by making four of its first six field goal attempts before the Seahawks regrouped behind Flemmings to pull even at 26-all.

UNCW then used an 11-0 run and broke out to a 37-26 advantage with 1:17 remaining in the first half as Bryan contributed some quality minutes for the Seahawks.   Sherwood converted a conventional three-point play and Bryan tossed in a pair of free throws to give UNCW its largest lead of the period.

Towson struggled in the stretch, making just 2-of-12 field goals and committing four turnovers in a 5:54 drought that allowed the Seahawks to gain control.

The Tigers, behind Davis, scored the final six points of the opening stanza, however, to close the gap to 37-33 at the break.

UNCW next competes in the CAA Tournament next weekend at Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore, Md. The Seahawks picked up a bye in the opening round and will play a quarterfinal game at Noon or 6 p.m. next Saturday, March 5.

GAME NOTES: The Seahawks lead the all-time series by a 20-14 margin, including 12-2 in Wilmington…UNCW has won four of the last five matchups between the two clubs…UNCW made its first 14 free throws…Towson won the rebounding battle, 39-30…UNCW led for 29:12 of the contest…The Seahawks went 15-of-18 at the free throw line…UNCW doubled up Towson in assists, 12-6…The Seahawks finished 12-2 at home this season…UNCW’s three seniors – Kevin Hickson, Dylan Sherwood and Craig Ponder – each started…The Tigers had 20 offensive rebounds…The two teams combined for 74 points in the paint…UNCW’s bench contributed 31 of the team’s 74 points…Attendance for the game was 4,791.