WILMINGTON, N.C. (Interstat) — A dominant second-half performance by UNC Wilmington erased a halftime deficit and propelled the Seahawks to a 70-57 victory over Southeastern Louisiana in a non-conference men’s basketball game Wednesday night at a raucous Trask Coliseum.

A crowd of 4,246 watched as the Seahawks, now 5-1, shook off a sluggish first half by outscoring the Lions 43-24 after the break. The Lions, who led by six points at halftime, fell to 1-5 with the loss.

The game turned decisively in the opening minutes of the second half. After Southeastern Louisiana’s Jeremy Elyzee connected on a 3-pointer to bring the Lions within two points, UNC Wilmington responded with a 9-0 run. The surge was capped by a 3-pointer from Noah Ross, assisted by Greedy Williams, forcing a Lions timeout and setting the tone for the remainder of the contest.

The Seahawks’ offense, which managed only 27 points in the first half, found its rhythm by relentlessly attacking the basket and capitalizing at the free-throw line. UNC Wilmington attempted 30 free throws, making 23, while the Lions went to the line just 12 times, converting only six. This 17-point disparity from the charity stripe proved to be a critical factor in the final margin.

Defensively, the Seahawks tightened their grip, holding Southeastern Louisiana to just 24 points in the second half. The Lions’ offensive struggles were emblematic of their night, as they shot just 5 of 29 from beyond the arc and posted an offensive rating of 89.5 points per 100 possessions. UNC Wilmington, by contrast, operated at a much more efficient 110.7 offensive rating.

Jeremy Elyzee was a bright spot for the Lions, leading all scorers with 21 points in 32 minutes of action. The 6-foot-6 guard from Hialeah, Florida, was a consistent offensive threat, but received limited support as his team’s shooting went cold.

UNC Wilmington’s victory was a balanced effort. Nolan Hodge, a 6-foot-7 forward from Greensboro, North Carolina, paced the Seahawks with 14 points and was a force on the glass. He was joined in double figures by a trio of teammates: Madison Durr scored 12 points and dished out four assists, while Christian May and Greedy Williams each added 12 points of their own. May, from Edinburg, Virginia, also contributed a key blocked shot in the second half.

Despite the loss, Southeastern Louisiana won the battle in the paint, outscoring UNC Wilmington 34-26, and generated more assists and steals. However, their inability to score from the perimeter and their woes at the free-throw line ultimately sealed their fate.

The game was the first of a multi-team event hosted by UNC Wilmington. The Seahawks will continue play at Trask Coliseum on Friday against Navy, while Southeastern Louisiana will look to rebound against Gardner-Webb, also in Wilmington.