https://uncwsports.com/news/2019/2/18/me...enter.aspx



Seahawks Pay First Visit To Schar Center

WILMINGTON, North Carolina – Fresh off a scintillating 87-79 upset of first place Hofstra over the weekend, the UNCW men's basketball team seeks to build on that momentum when C.B. McGrath's rejuvenated club makes its first appearance at Elon's Schar Center on Thursday night.

The Seahawks (9-10, 5-10) and Phoenix (8-19, 4-10) tangle for the second time this season in a 7 p.m. tip-off at the sparkling new 5,100-seat venue. The two teams will be looking to make some head way in the CAA standings as the regular season draws to a close.

Live Seahawk Digital Network (SDN) coverage of the UNCW-Elon contest begins at 6:45 p.m. with Mike Vaccaro, the "Voice of the Seahawks,"on the call. Visit UNCWsports.com/SDN for live audio and video coverage.

A radio broadcast of the game may be heard on 95.9 FM "The Breeze" | WKXB HD 2 – 95.9 FM and 99.9 HD2 and live stats are available at UNCWStats.com.

The two teams are meeting for the second time this season after the Phoenix carved out an 89-82 decision in Game No. 22 on Jan. 26 at Trask Coliseum. Elon senior forward Tyler Seibring exploded for a career-high 32 points, including 21 points in the second half, to help the Phoenix win for the first time at Trask Coliseum.

Sophomore forward Ty Gadsden paced the Seahawks with 22 points, while senior forward Devontae Cacok set a school record for career double-doubles with 20 points and 19 rebounds. UNCW matched the school record for most three-point field goals attempts (10-of-39) and broke the high-water mark for a CAA contest.

"We have to play better than we did the last time we played Elon," said McGrath. "They came in here, hit us in the mouth and we didn't respond. Steven Santa Ana was really aggressive and wanted to win the game. Tyler Seibring made some very difficult shots, so we have to do some different things against him and not let him get into a rhythm. It's going to be a tough game."

The Seahawks turned in one of their most complete games of the season with Saturday's upset of the Pride. Cacok piled up 18 points and 16 rebounds and led five players in double figures on "Senior Night" at Trask Coliseum. UNCW went 24-of-28 at the free throw line – 21-of-25 after intermission – to hand the Pride only its second conference of the campaign.

"We competed the whole time against Hofstra," added McGrath. "It should give our younger guys confidence. We stayed tough, made some big shots and made our free throws down the stretch. We also did a better job of guarding the ball and changing up our defenses."

Freshman Kai Toews delivered two spectacular games last week and was rewarded with CAA Rookie of the Week honors for the fourth time. He averaged 13.5 points and 10.5 assists and picked up double-doubles in matchups with Northeastern and Hofstra en route to the league's weekly accolades.

Elon has dropped four in a row entering Thursday's test. The Pride dropped an 84-74 verdict at William & Mary's Kaplan Arena last Saturday after leading the Tribe, 38-34, at the half. Seibring led the way for the Phoenix with 17 points and 14 rebounds.

The Phoenix like to dial long distance, averaging 28.8 three-point attempts each time on the court. The Seahawks are launching 22.4 treys per game. Elon has attempted 151 more three's than UNCW this season. Four players have shot 100 or more trifectas for Elon, while only two - Ty Gadsden and Jay Estime' - have attempted more than 100 for the Seahawks.

THE STORYLINES

THE SERIES: Thursday marks the 21st meeting between the two schools, but just the 10th as Colonial Athletic Association opponents. UNCW owns an 11-9 advantage in the series and has swept five of the last seven battles between the two teams since Elon joined the CAA in the 2014-15 season.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN: The Seahawks are 2-9 in true road games and 4-10 in combined road/neutral contests in 2018-19. UNCW carries a 2-4 conference road mark and four-game losing streak in CAA roadies into the tilt.

SEIBRING VS. SEAHAWKS: The Seahawks are facing Seibring for the eighth time. He has averaged 18.4 points and 6.4 rebounds in seven games against UNCW during his stellar career.

NORTH CAROLNA OPPONENTS: The Seahawks are playing the last of eight games this season against North Carolina opponents. UNCW owns a 1-6 scorecard against Tar Heel State clubs in 2018-19, with the lone victory coming over rival East Carolina back on Nov. 27.

NEXT UP: Following Thursday's game with the Phoenix, the Seahawks visit Williamsburg, Va., to take on William & Mary on Saturday at 4 p.m.