WILMINGTON, N.C. (Interstat) — UNC Wilmington held off a second-half surge from Hampton for a 49-45 men’s basketball victory Saturday at Trask Coliseum.

The Seahawks (14-2, 2-0 Colonial) led 27-18 at halftime, but the Pirates (8-8, 2-1) opened the second half on a 13-2 run to take a brief lead. Patrick Wessler scored 19 points and blocked six shots for UNCW, keying the defensive effort. Etienne Strothers led Hampton with 12 points, all in the second half.

Both teams struggled offensively. Hampton shot 31.6% from the field and made just 2 of 18 from 3-point range. UNCW shot 38.8% and went 8 for 21 from the free-throw line but used 10 offensive rebounds and nine blocks to secure the win before a crowd of 5,220.