Streaking Seahawks Entertain Elon In CAA Trask Debut For Phoenix

Game #20: UNCW "Seahawks" vs. Elon "Phoenix" Trask Coliseum (5,200) • Wilmington, N.C. Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015 • 7:05 p.m. Seahawk Digital Network (Video) • Live Stats Twitter: @UNCWMensHoops • #wingsup Game Notes: UNCW \| Elon


	UNCW "Seahawks" 2014-15 Record: 11-8, 6-2 CAA Last Game: Jan. 24 Vs. Towson - W, 69-65 (Recap \| Box Score) Head Coach: Kevin Keatts (1st Season) Roster \| Schedule \| Statistics \| Homepage


	Elon Phoenix" 2014-15 Record: 11-10, 3-5 CAA Last Game: Jan. 24 Vs. Delaware - W 94-82 (Recap \| Box Score) Head Coach: Matt Matheny (6th Season) Roster \| Schedule \| Statistics \| Homepage

WILMINGTON, North Carolina – UNCW, locked in a three-way tie for first place in the Colonial Athletic Association, completes its first rotation through the conference on Wednesday by playing host to league newbie Elon at Trask Coliseum.

The Seahawks, 11-8 overall and 6-2 in the loop, own the circuit's longest winning streak at three games and look to improve on their 6-1 home record in the 7 p.m. tip-off.

"In all aspects," first-year Head Coach Kevin Keatts reflected early this week, "we're starting to mature as a team. We're starting to trust each other. We haven't won a lot of games in the past, so the guys are starting to understand that if they're playing hard for what's on the front of the jersey, then what's on the back will get some credit."

UNCW is coming off a 69-65 verdict over Towson on Saturday in yet another close call for the Seahawks this season. Nine of the team's 18 games have been decided by seven points or less, including the last seven outings, and the last four contests have been decided by five points or less.

The streaking Seahawks have found success this season through a revamped lineup, veteran play and spirited defensive play. Seniors Freddie Jackson (14.5 ppg) and Addison Spruill (14.3 ppg) are enjoying career years for a team that was picked to finish ninth in the 10-team loop.

"This is one of those teams where one person is not going to lead us every night," Keatts said. "We don't really have five starters. We have seven or eight guys who could start on any given night."

UNCW has won consecutive league games at home over Delaware, Drexel and Towson since a 68-56 defeat to Hofstra on Jan. 3. Saturday's raucous crowd of 4,590 faithful raised UNCW's CAA-leading average to 3,557 fans.

"It's an exciting time for Seahawk basketball. The key for us is to stay the course and keep getting better. I'm proud of these guys. In the past, they seemed to find a way to lose close games. Now, we're finding a way to win those games."

Elon's debut in the CAA has brought mixed success. The Phoenix and sixth-year head coach Matt Matheny stand 11-10 overall and 3-5 in the conference, but already own wins over CAA co-leader William & Mary, Drexel and Delaware.
The Phoenix outscored the Blue Hens, 94-82, last Saturday in their most recent outing behind senior guard Austin Hamilton's 31-point outburst at Alumni Gym. The 5-10, 180-pound guard from Herndon, Va., connected on 10-of-13 field goal attempts from the floor and drained six treys in the high-scoring affair.

Keatts said, "It will be a track meet here on Wednesday. They have gone to a four-guard rotation and score a lot of points. They are tough to guard."

Hamilton gets plenty of help from junior sharpshooter Tanner Samson and freshman guard Elijah Bryant. Samson has made 204 career three-pointers for the Phoenix, fifth in school history, and averages 12.2 points per game. Bryant, one of the top rookies in the league, leads the team and all CAA freshmen with 13.7 ppg, racking up CAA Rookie-of-the-Week accolades four times.

Wednesday is only the 12th meeting between the two schools. The Seahawks have won five in a row against the Phoenix since a 106-80 loss during the 1975-76 season. The Phoenix won the first six games of the series, but the Seahawks have claimed the last five. The two teams did not play for 19 years before resuming the series during the 2004-05 campaign.

UNCW and Elon meet again in the regular season finale on Feb. 28 at Alumni Gym.

Following Wednesday's clash with the Phoenix, the Seahawks travel to snowy Philadelphia for a 4 p.m. matchup on Saturday at Drexel. Keatts & Co. knocked off the Dragons, 64-57, on Jan. 10 at Trask Coliseum.

Wednesday's game can be seen on the Seahawk Digital Network via UNCWsports.com. Fans should click on the "Live Events" button on the top right-hand corner of the main page and follow the prompts for the free broadcast. A 15-minute pregame show kicks off the coverage followed by first-half coverage, a 15-minute halftime show, second-half action and a 15-minute post-game show.

Live-in game updates are also available on Twitter by following @UNCWmenshoops.

Season tickets remain on sale for UNCW's home schedule and may be purchased at the UNCW Athletics Ticket Office in Trask Coliseum or by visiting UNCWsports.com. Tickets can also be purchased by calling the UNCW Athletic Ticket Office at 910-962-3233 or 1-800-808-UNCW.

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Players Mentioned

#10 Freddie Jackson: G; 6' 4"; Senior

#24 Addison Spruill: G; 6' 4"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#10 Freddie Jackson
: 6' 4"; Senior
: G

#24 Addison Spruill
: 6' 4"; Senior
: G

UNC Wilmington Athletics

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Streaking Seahawks Entertain Elon In CAA Trask Debut For Phoenix

Players Mentioned

#10 Freddie Jackson

#24 Addison Spruill

Players Mentioned

#10 Freddie Jackson

#24 Addison Spruill