UNC Wilmington secured a hard-fought 78-75 win over Campbell at Trask Coliseum, thanks in large part to a standout performance from Patrick Wessler. The Seahawks' big man dropped 23 points and grabbed 8 rebounds, leading his team to their 18th win of the season. Wessler's efforts were complemented by Madison Durr's 20 points and Greedy Williams' 17 points, as the trio propelled UNC Wilmington to a narrow victory.
The game got off to a fast-paced start, with Campbell taking a 37-33 lead into halftime. DJ Smith was nearly unstoppable for the Fighting Camels, scoring 24 points and pulling down 9 rebounds to keep his team in contention. Jeremiah Johnson added 20 points for Campbell, while Dovydas Butka chipped in with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Despite their best efforts, the Fighting Camels were unable to overcome the Seahawks' balanced attack.
In the second half, UNC Wilmington came out strong, outscoring Campbell 45-38 to take the lead for good. The Seahawks' offense was clicking on all cylinders, with Wessler and Durr leading the charge. While Campbell refused to back down, UNC Wilmington's depth and athleticism ultimately was too much for the Fighting Camels to handle.
The win improves UNC Wilmington's record to 18-3, with their net ranking sitting at 104. While this game was not expected to be a significant challenge for the Seahawks, they still had to work hard to come away with the victory. The narrow margin of victory is a reflection of Campbell's resilience and determination, as they refused to give up despite being outmatched on paper.
From a resume standpoint, this game was classified as a Quadrant 4 contest for UNC Wilmington, which means it was a game they were expected to win. While the Seahawks did not necessarily impress with their performance, they still got the job done and avoided a potentially damaging loss. For Campbell, this game was a Quadrant 2 opportunity, and although they came up short, they can still take pride in their effort and the fact that they were able to push a strong opponent to the limit.
The outcome of this game has real consequences for both teams' tournament chances. UNC Wilmington's win helps to solidify their position as a potential NCAA Tournament contender, although they must continue to perform well in their remaining games to lock up a spot. Campbell, on the other hand, must regroup and focus on their upcoming conference schedule if they hope to make a push for a postseason berth. With this result, UNC Wilmington's resume remains strong, but they must keep winning to stay in the conversation for a tournament bid.