WASHINGTON (Interstat) — In a stunning reversal of their regular-season fortunes, the Campbell Fightin’ Camels delivered a commanding 85-70 victory over the UNC Wilmington Seahawks in a Colonial Athletic Association men’s basketball game Sunday at CareFirst Arena.

The result upended both the conference standings and statistical projections, as Campbell, which entered the game with a sub-.500 record, dominated a Seahawks squad that had won 26 games. Interstat’s ELO system had given UNC Wilmington an 85.3 percent probability to win.

The game’s defining stretch was a transformative second-half performance by Campbell. After trailing 33-31 at halftime in a tightly contested opening period, the Fightin’ Camels erupted after the break. They outscored UNC Wilmington 54-37 in the second half, leveraging efficient offense and stifling defense to pull away decisively.

Campbell’s offensive execution proved superior. The Fightin’ Camels scored 85 points on 75 possessions for an offensive rating of 113.8, while UNC Wilmington managed only 70 points on 74 possessions, a rating of 94.0. The stark difference stemmed largely from perimeter shooting and free throw accuracy. Campbell connected on 7 of 22 three-point attempts, while UNC Wilmington suffered through a frigid 2-for-18 performance from beyond the arc. At the foul line, Campbell capitalized, making 26 of 31 attempts. UNC Wilmington hit 16 of 22.

Jeremiah Johnson, Campbell’s top star, led a balanced offensive attack. The guard from Del City, Oklahoma, scored 17 points, grabbed five rebounds, and dished out four assists in 34 minutes. He was instrumental in the second-half surge, attacking the basket and drawing fouls. He was supported by DJ Smith of Dallas, Texas, who added 20 points, and Dovydas Butka of Panevezys, Lithuania, who contributed 14 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. Chris Fields of Petersburg, Virginia, just missed a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds.

UNC Wilmington was led by the interior presence of Patrick Wessler of Matthews, North Carolina. The 7-foot center posted a double-double with 21 points and 13 rebounds in 35 minutes. Madison Durr of Atlanta, Georgia, also scored 21 points off the bench. However, the Seahawks’ offense often stalled, generating only four total assists against 11 turnovers.

Despite the loss, UNC Wilmington won the battle on the glass, securing 14 offensive rebounds to Campbell’s five, leading to a 40-34 advantage in points in the paint. But Campbell’s ability to convert turnovers into points and their efficiency in the half-court offense negated that edge.

The victory improved Campbell’s season record to 16-17, while UNC Wilmington fell to 26-6. The game was part of the Colonial Athletic Association’s postseason tournament proceedings. The total score of 155 surpassed the over/under line of 150.5.

The outcome marked a significant turnaround from the teams’ two regular-season meetings, both narrow victories for UNC Wilmington. On Feb. 21, the Seahawks won 73-68 in Buies Creek, and on Jan. 17, they edged Campbell 78-75 in Wilmington.

For Campbell, the win represents a potential season-defining moment, demonstrating a level of performance that could make them a dangerous opponent in tournament play. For the heavily favored Seahawks, the loss serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of postseason basketball, where shooting slumps and opponent hot streaks can swiftly alter the expected narrative.