Seahawks Face Blue Hens In Finale

WILMINGTON, North Carolina – After numerous practices, challenging coast-to-coast travel and 30 games featuring various scenarios, it all comes down to this for the UNCW men's basketball team - the regular season and home finale vs. Delaware on Saturday night at Trask Coliseum.

The Seahawks, 10-20 overall and 5-12 in the Colonial Athletic Association, look to close out the regular season with three consecutive wins and four straight home victories in the 7 p.m. tip. The Blue Hens, 20-10 and 10-7, continue to jockey for one of the top seeds in next week's Hercules Tire CAA Men's Basketball Championship in Washington, D.C.

UNCW can nail down its 36th winning season at Trask Coliseum. The Seahawks have won eight or more home games in five of the last six years.

"Our guys are really confident right now…it's all about playing 40 minutes," said Rob Burke, UNCW's interim head coach. "Delaware was the first conference game we played. We're a different team. It's been 62 days since we played and we're a different ball club.

UNCW is coming off a 76-65 verdict over Drexel on Thursday night at Trask Coliseum. The Seahawks shot a robust 67.9 percent in the decisive final period to earn a split of the regular season series with the Dragons. Freshman point guard Shykeim Phillips' career-high 20 points. Phillips and Mike Okauru jumpstarted a second half that saw the Seahawks flip a 34-29 halftime deficit into a 38-34 lead with 17:33 to go in the game. UNCW then led by as many as 14 points down the stretch.

The Seahawks are facing the CAA's best shooting team and second highest scoring club in the Blue Hens. Delaware tops the circuit with a 47.8 percent aim and ranks second behind Hofstra in scoring at 74.3 points per game.

Delaware has reached 20 total victories and 10 wins in the CAA for the first time since 2013-14. Delaware has improved on its win total from the previous year for the fourth straight season. The Blue Hens have improved their win total each year under former Notre Dame assistant Martin Ingelsby and owns a five-game improvement from last season.

The Blue Hens journey up the coast to UNCW after dropping an 80-71 score at Charleston on Thursday. The Cougars outscored the Blue Hens, 31-12, in the final 6:31 to snap a four-game losing streak and collect a key win with seeding implications. CofC notched a season sweep of UD, gaining the tie-breaker over the Blue Hens if the teams are even in CAA play. Sophomore forward Justyn Mutts and Junior guard Nate Darling each had 18 points for Delaware, with Mutts posting a double-double with 11 rebounds. Junior guard Ryan Allen scored all 12 of his points in the second half, while junior guard Kevin Anderson chipped in 11.

Saturday's contest will be carried over the air on The Breeze, 95.9 FM, with play-by-play voice Mike Vaccaro and color analyst Marty Feurer on the call. The game may be heard worldwide on the station's website, www.959thebreeze.com. A live video stream will be available on FloSports.com.

Seahawk Storylines

Interim head coach Rob Burke of UNCW stands 5-6 overall since taking over the program on Jan. 13. He's 4-2 at home and 1-4 on the road during his brief time in the lead chair.

The Seahawks have faced Delaware more than any other former America East member since UD, Hofstra, Towson and Drexel joined the league 19 years ago.

Since Delaware's 82-68 verdict over UNCW in the CAA opener, the Blue Hens have gone 9-7. The Seahawks have fashioned a 5-11 scorecard.

UNCW is facing Ingelsby for the ninth time and stands 3-5 against the Hens skipper.

The Seahawks won on a Thursday night in CAA play for the first time in seven tries this season with the 11-point decision vs. Drexel. UNCW stands 4-5 in Saturday conference games this year.

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Players Mentioned

#2 Shykeim Phillips: G; 6' 0"; Freshman

#4 Mike Okauru: G; 6' 3"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#2 Shykeim Phillips
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: G

#4 Mike Okauru
: 6' 3"; Junior
: G

UNC Wilmington Athletics

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Events/Results

Seahawks Face Blue Hens In Finale

Players Mentioned

#2 Shykeim Phillips

#4 Mike Okauru

Players Mentioned

#2 Shykeim Phillips

#4 Mike Okauru