TOWSON, Md. (Interstat) — In a pivotal Colonial Athletic Association clash defined by perimeter shooting and meticulous ball security, the UNC Wilmington Seahawks used a barrage of three-pointers to secure an 82-73 road victory over the Towson Tigers on Thursday night at SECU Arena.

The Seahawks, who entered the contest with a 57% win probability according to Interstat’s ELO system but were 2.5-point underdogs, improved to 19-3 overall by exploiting a decisive advantage from beyond the arc. UNC Wilmington connected on 12 of 31 three-point attempts, while Towson managed just 3 of 16, a 27-point disparity that ultimately decided the game.

The contest was a study in contrasting efficiencies. UNC Wilmington scored its 82 points on just 63 possessions, posting an elite offensive rating of 129.3. Towson, despite shooting a higher percentage from the field overall (27 of 54 compared to 26 of 58 for UNCW), was less potent per possession, scoring 73 points on 64 trips for a 114.2 offensive rating. The Seahawks’ ability to generate extra opportunities was also crucial, as they won the offensive rebounding battle 9-5 and committed only three turnovers, their lowest total of the season, against four for the Tigers.

The most important sequence of the game unfolded late in the second half, with UNC Wilmington protecting a narrow lead. Leading 65-61 with just over six minutes remaining, the Seahawks’ Nolan Hodge was fouled on a three-point attempt by Towson’s Caleb Embeya, which was ruled a flagrant foul. Hodge made one of two ensuing free throws, and on the retained possession, Christian May sank a critical three-pointer off an assist from Noah Ross, pushing the lead to eight points. That five-point trip, turning a two-possession game into a more commanding 69-61 advantage, effectively halted Towson’s momentum. The Tigers would not get closer than six points the rest of the way, as UNCW closed the game by making 11 of 12 free throws in the final 1:15.

Hodge, a 6-foot-7 guard from Greensboro, North Carolina, led all scorers with 23 points, including five three-pointers, and added a key block. Guard Greedy Williams of Montgomery, Alabama, orchestrated the efficient offense with 14 points and a game-high seven assists against zero turnovers. The Seahawks’ interior presence was bolstered by 7-foot center Patrick Wessler of Matthews, North Carolina, who scored 14 points, and forward Noah Ross of Apex, North Carolina, who added 11.

Towson, which fell to 12-11, dominated inside with 34 points in the paint but could not overcome its perimeter struggles. Tyler Tejada of Teaneck, New Jersey, led the Tigers with 16 points, while Jack Doumbia of Lanham, Maryland, scored 13. Dylan Williamson of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, contributed 12 points and four assists.

The game was tight throughout the first half, with UNC Wilmington taking a slim 38-36 lead into halftime. The second half saw eight lead changes before the Seahawks’ three-point shooting and flawless late-game execution created the necessary separation.

A crowd of 2,801 watched as UNC Wilmington bounced back from a road loss to William & Mary in its previous outing. The Seahawks’ next game is at home against William & Mary on Feb. 5. Towson, which had its two-game winning streak snapped, will look to regroup at home against Hampton on Saturday.

The combined score of 155 points sailed over the pregame over/under line of 131.