LILLINGTON, N.C. (Interstat) — In a game defined by grit over grace, the UNC Wilmington Seahawks leaned on a dominant rebounding performance and timely second-half execution to fend off the Campbell Fightin’ Camels 73-68 in a Colonial Athletic Association men’s basketball matchup Saturday at John W. Pope, Jr. Convocation Center.

The victory improved UNC Wilmington’s record to 24-4 overall and marked its fifth consecutive win. Campbell fell to 13-15.

The contest was a stark contrast in styles. UNC Wilmington struggled with its shooting touch all afternoon, connecting on just 22 of 61 attempts from the floor and a paltry 20 of 33 from the free-throw line. Campbell, meanwhile, was more efficient from the field and the line but was ultimately overwhelmed on the glass. The Seahawks corralled 16 offensive rebounds to Campbell’s five, generating a crucial 16-2 advantage in second-chance points that proved to be the decisive statistical factor.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair featuring 10 lead changes. Campbell’s Dovydas Butka of Lithuania facilitated the offense with seven assists, finding shooters like Cam Gregory and DJ Smith for open looks. UNC Wilmington countered with bursts from guard Jahnathan Lamothe, who scored 11 of his team-high 17 points before halftime. The Seahawks took a narrow 36-35 lead into the break.

The most important sequence of the game unfolded in the final minutes of the second half, turning a tight contest into a Seahawk victory. With UNC Wilmington clinging to a 61-59 lead and just over four minutes remaining, Campbell’s Chris Fields, who led all scorers with 17 points, missed a jump shot that could have tied the game. On the ensuing possession, UNC Wilmington’s Christian May sank a critical three-pointer from the wing, pushing the lead to five and forcing a Campbell timeout.

Campbell refused to wilt. Jeremiah Johnson answered with a driving layup to cut the deficit back to three. After a missed Seahawk shot, Campbell had a chance to draw closer, but Fields was blocked inside by Nolan Hodge. UNC Wilmington then delivered the knockout blow. Following a media timeout, guard Greedy Williams found May for another three-pointer, this one from the corner, extending the lead to 67-61 with 2:22 to play.

Campbell made a final push. Johnson scored on another determined drive, and after a UNC Wilmington turnover, Butka converted inside to make it 68-66 with 41 seconds left. The Seahawks, however, sealed the game at the free-throw line. May made one of two attempts, and after a Campbell turnover, Williams intercepted a pass and raced for a clinching layup with two seconds remaining to provide the final margin.

Beyond Lamothe’s scoring, UNC Wilmington received key contributions from 7-foot center Patrick Wessler, who posted 11 points and three assists while anchoring the paint defense with two blocks. Christian May finished with 13 points, with nine coming in the second half. For Campbell, Butka filled the stat sheet with seven points, seven assists and six rebounds. Gregory and Smith added 11 and 12 points, respectively, while Johnson chipped in nine.

The game was a defensive struggle, with both teams posting offensive ratings below the national average. UNC Wilmington scored 104.8 points per 100 possessions, while Campbell managed just 98.5. The Seahawks’ ability to extend possessions through offensive rebounds compensated for their 36.1% shooting from the field.

UNC Wilmington will look to continue its winning streak when it hosts North Carolina A&T on Thursday. Campbell travels to face Drexel on the same night.