UNC Wilmington Downs Towson 82-73 Behind Nolan Hodge's 23 Points

UNC Wilmington's Nolan Hodge stole the show at SECU Arena, scoring 23 points to propel his team to an 82-73 victory over Towson. The Seahawks' win marked their ninth in the last ten games, further bolstering their tournament chances. Hodge's performance was the catalyst for UNC Wilmington's success, as he consistently found ways to score and create for his teammates.

The game got off to a closely contested start, with UNC Wilmington taking a narrow 38-36 lead into halftime. Towson's Tyler Tejada was a major factor in the first half, scoring 10 points and grabbing 4 rebounds to keep his team within striking distance. However, Hodge and the Seahawks' offense proved too much for the Tigers to handle in the second half. UNC Wilmington outscored Towson 44-37 in the final 20 minutes, with Hodge scoring 13 of his 23 points during that stretch.

Tejada finished the game with 16 points and 6 rebounds, leading the way for Towson. Despite his strong performance, the Tigers were unable to overcome the Seahawks' balanced attack. UNC Wilmington had three players score in double figures, including Patrick Wessler, who added 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Greedy Williams, who chipped in 14 points and 7 assists.

CHD Scout's pre-game prediction had UNC Wilmington winning by 6.1 points, and the Seahawks ultimately exceeded that margin, winning by 9. The prediction's accuracy is a reflection of the model's ability to forecast the outcome of games. In this case, it correctly identified UNC Wilmington as the superior team and predicted a relatively comfortable victory.

The win is a Quadrant 3 victory for UNC Wilmington, which should help to strengthen their tournament resume. With a current NET ranking of 103, the Seahawks are firmly in the mix for an at-large bid. Meanwhile, the loss is a Quadrant 3 defeat for Towson, which may hinder their chances of earning a postseason berth. The Tigers, who currently sit at 12-11, must string together some wins in order to get back into the tournament conversation.

As the season enters its final stretch, UNC Wilmington's victory over Towson serves as a significant boost to their tournament chances. With Hodge leading the charge, the Seahawks appear poised to make a deep run in the postseason. Their ability to win games like this, against solid opponents on the road, matters in determining their ultimate fate. For now, UNC Wilmington's resume looks stronger than ever, and they want to build on this momentum as they push towards the tournament.