William & Mary Stuns UNC Wilmington in 7-Point Upset

In a shocking turn of events, William & Mary took down 17-3 UNC Wilmington 77-70, pulling off a significant upset at Kaplan Arena. The Tribe's victory marked a major statement win, as they handed the Seahawks their fourth loss of the season. UNC Wilmington, ranked 105 in the net rankings, was predicted to win by 2.8 points by CHD Scout, but William & Mary had other plans.

The first half belonged to the Tribe, as they built a commanding 42-28 lead at the break. Kyle Pulliam was instrumental in the opening period, scoring 10 of his 16 points to help William & Mary establish a strong foundation. The Seahawks, on the other hand, struggled to find their rhythm, with their top scorer Patrick Wessler managing just 5 points in the first half.

However, UNC Wilmington refused to go down without a fight. Led by Wessler's dominant performance, the Seahawks mounted a fierce comeback in the second half. Wessler finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds, including 10 points in the final 20 minutes. Despite their efforts, the Seahawks were unable to overcome the deficit, as William & Mary's balanced attack proved too much to handle.

Kilian Brockhoff and Cade Haskins joined Pulliam in double figures, scoring 15 points each to help the Tribe secure the win. The trio's collective effort was crucial in withstanding UNC Wilmington's second-half surge. Meanwhile, Madison Durr and Christian May chipped in with 15 and 13 points, respectively, for the Seahawks, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Tribe's strong start.

The upset victory has real consequences for both teams. For William & Mary, this win marks a crucial Quadrant 3 victory, which will undoubtedly bolster their tournament resume. On the other hand, UNC Wilmington's loss may raise some eyebrows, particularly given their lofty record and net ranking. This defeat will be classified as a Quadrant 2 loss for the Seahawks, which may impact their seeding and tournament chances down the line.

As the season progresses, William & Mary's win will be remembered as a defining moment in their campaign. The Tribe's ability to take down a top-ranked opponent will undoubtedly give them confidence and momentum heading into their upcoming games. Conversely, UNC Wilmington want to regroup and refocus, as they aim to bounce back from this unexpected setback. The loss serves as a reminder that, despite their impressive record, the Seahawks are not invincible, and they must be more consistent if they hope to make a deep run in the tournament. With this result, William & Mary has significantly enhanced their tournament chances, while UNC Wilmington must regroup and reassess their strategy to maintain their position in the rankings.