UNCW stakes claim as top of CAA with win over College of Charleston

Jordon Talleys huge performance along with two double-doubles help Seahawks remain undefeated against Cougars

Madeline Gray—North State Journal
UNC Wilmington Head Coach Kevin Keatts yells to his team as they take on Campbell University at Gore Arena in Buies Creek on Wednesday

At the start of the season, Jordon Talley watched from the bench during a suspension for “conduct detrimental to the team.” On Thursday night, the junior scored a team-high 17 points to help UNCW remain undefeated and atop the CAA standings with a 65-59 win over College of Charleston.Ironically enough, Talley’s night started once again from the bench. As for the starters, C.J. Bryce (13 points, 10 rebounds) and Chris Flemmings (11 points, 10 rebounds) recorded double-doubles despite shooting a combined 10 of 29 from the field and 1 of 12 from three-point range.The 65 points scored by the Seahawks was tied for the second-lowest total of the season after going the 59 points allowed was also tied for the lowest on the year.”I thought our defense was the difference,” UNCW coach Kevin Keatts said. “I thought the tempo was in our favor, but if you look at the score it was not. They played fast, but both teams missed a lot of shots in the first half. I thought we had the pace in our favor.”Much of Talley’s success on Thursday night came from the free-throw line. The junior hit 2-of-5 shots from the field, but went 12 of 16 from the charity stripe — including five free throws in eight attempts during the final two minutes to seal the victory.Talley has proved since his return that he’s yet another asset to a loaded UNCW squad. With four players averaging 12 points or more, three averaging at least five rebounds and three shooting 45 percent or better from behind the arc, the Seahawks have a plethora of options to choose from every night.Following the win, the Seahawks are now 18-2 overall and 7-0 in the conference. Prior to this season, the best start in program history was four straight wins. UNCW will look to continue its torrid pace on Saturday against Drexel in Trask Coliseum.