UNCW Edges Murray State In Overtime, 83-81

FT. MYERS, Fla. – UNCW pulled off an impressive comeback, overcoming a 10-point deficit in the final 6:21 of the second half to force overtime. Shykeim Phillips then scored eight of his 19 points in the extra session, leading the Seahawks to an 83-81 victory over Murray State in men’s college basketball action on Monday at Suncoast Credit Union Arena.

With this win, the Seahawks improved to 4-0, matching the 2015-16 team’s opening record. On the other hand, the Racers fell to 1-3 with this neutral site loss.

Maleeck Harden-Hayes led all scorers for the Seahawks with 23 points, Trazarien White had 18 points off the bench, and Donovan Newby added 11. Harden-Hayes also grabbed seven rebounds and blocked two shots.

MSU’s Jacobi Wood held game-high honors with 24 points and also doled out six assists. Rob Perry had 20 points before fouling out in the final seconds of regulation.

The Seahawks used a 16-6 run over the final 6:21 to tie the game on a pair of free throws by Harden-Hayes with 1.7 seconds remaining in the second half.

Murray State held a 37-35 lead at the intermission following a 13-0 run late in the half.

Notes: UNCW outscored the Racers, 31-10, in bench scoring. Both teams scored 34 points in the paint. The Seahawks are now 2-0 all-time against Murray State. UNCW’s seven assists were a season-low. UNCW’s largest lead of the game was a 7-point difference, 31-24, with 5:06 left in the first half on a jumper by KJ Jenkins. Head Coach Takayo Siddle improved to 7-0 in overtime games.

The Seahawks take on Appalachian State (1-2) Tuesday at noon. The game will be video streamed on FSWBucs.com and broadcast locally in Wilmington on 95.9 FM The Breeze and on the web at The Breeze (959thebreeze.com)

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