http://uncwsports.com/news/2018/1/12/men...a-win.aspx
Seahawks Set Sights On Third CAA Win
WILMINGTON, North Carolina - With their first road victory and Colonial Athletic Association road win in hand, the UNCW men's basketball team eyes a quick turnaround when league rival Northeastern visits Trask Coliseum on Saturday.
The Seahawks, 5-12 overall and 2-3 in the CAA, take on the Huskies, 10-7 and 3-2, in a 7 p.m. tip-off. Tickets are available at UNCWsports.com or by visiting the UNCW Athletic Ticket Office from 1 p.m. until tip on Saturday.
UNCW outlasted Elon, 80-78, in overtime late Thursday behind balanced scoring and some late-game heroics from senior forward Marcus Bryan. With several All-CAA caliber players dotting the court at Alumni Gym, Bryan converted a layup in traffic with 23.4 seconds left in the extra period and the Seahawks held on for the thrilling win.
"It's tough to win on the road anywhere," said C.B. McGrath, UNCW's first-year head coach. "I've known that since I've been around college basketball. Getting a win in Alumni Gym is not easy…it was just a great college atmosphere."
UNCW put the finishing touches on a three-game road trip by making clutch shots and turning up the defensive heat on the Phoenix. Elon shot 42.6 percent from the field, but only managed 13-of-40 from long distance, attempting the most triples ever by a Seahawk opponent.
Next up for the Seahawks are the Huskies, who dropped an 82-66 verdict at Charleston on Thursday night. Junior guard Vasa Pusica, who brings a 15.6 ppg clip into the weekend, led the way for NU with 15 points and dished out six assists. The 6-5, 210-pound native of Serbia became eligible for the Huskies this season after transferring from San Diego.
The Seahawks and Huskies have had a pair of common opponents this season, with identical results. UNCW lost to Furman (90-84) and defeated Elon. NU fell to Furman (78-67) and knocked off Elon the road as well (72-60).
"We're looking forward to playing at home," added McGrath. "We haven't been here much, but I'm sure it will give the guys a lift. We're looking forward to having everyone come out for this important conference game."
Saturday marks the 23rd meeting between the Seahawks and Huskies. The Seahawks lead the series, 12-10, but have won four in a row and six of the last eight meetings. Moreover, UNCW has won seven of the last 10 matchups in the series and three straight on the North Carolina coast.
It's also the 10th clash between the two teams at Trask Coliseum. UNCW leads the series in Wilmington by a 6-3 margin.
In the most recent game played between the two teams last February, C.J. Bryce scored 23 points as UNCW set a single season record for victories and home wins in a 74-65 decision over Northeastern in the regular season finale for both teams. The Seahawks scored the first 15 points of the contest and survived a late scare by the Huskies to sweep the regular season series. Chris Flemmings and Denzel Ingram added 19 and 13 points for the Seahawks, who won their fourth in a row to close out the season.
Junior forward Devontae Cacok continues to perform on a high level and is making a solid case for CAA Player-of-the-Year honors. The Riverdale, Ga., product is averaging a double-double with 17.6 points and 13.2 rebounds each time on the court, shooting 63.1 percent from the floor and leading the nation in rebounds per game.
McGrath said, "Devontae's just an unbelievable rebounder. We want him to get more touches, but the defense doesn't. He has work harder to get the ball more often. He has a gift and a knack for rebounding. We need him on the court as much as possible."
The talented Cacok tops the CAA in double-doubles with 12. He is sixth in the CAA in scoring (17.6 ppg), leads in field goal percentage (.631) and holds down first in rebounding (13.2 rpg).
Senior point guard Jordan Talley, meanwhile, is set to become only the third player in the program's history with 1,000 points and 400 assists. Talley has amassed 1,039 points and 399 assists in 110 games. John Goldsberry (2003-06) finished with 1,104 points/530 assists and Chad Tomko (2008-11) closed with 1,702 points/481 assists.
Live Seahawk Digital Network (SDN) coverage of the UNCW-NU contest begins at 6:45 p.m. with Mike Vaccaro, the "Voice of the Seahawks," and color analyst Marty Feurer calling the action. Visit UNCWsports.com/SDN for live audio coverage. In addition, a radio broadcast of the game may be heard on "The Ticket" 95.9 FM and WKXB (99.9 FM-HD3).
For more information on the UNCW men's basketball team, visit UNCWsports.com and click on the men's basketball button. Additional information is also available on UNCW's social media channels: Facebook (UNCW Men's Basketball), Twitter (@UNCWmenshoops), Instagram (UNCWBasketball).