2017 Colonial Tournament: UNC Wilmington going dancing once again

Mar 17, 2016; Providence, RI, USA; UNC Wilmington Seahawks guard Denzel Ingram (10) drives past Duke Blue Devils guard Matt Jones (13) during the first half of a first round game of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

UNC Wilmington’s big second half fueled them past the College of Charleston to win the 2017 Colonial tournament.

After beating Hofstra last year in the championship of the conference tournament, UNC Wilmington found themselves in a similar situation Monday as they took on the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina with an automatic NCAA Tournament bid on the line.

The old saying “history repeats itself” held true once again as they took care of CofC, 78-69. Sophomore C.J. Bryce contributed a team-high 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the field while Devontae Cacok played a big part in the victory scoring 15 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. Jarrell Brantley (20 points 11 rebounds) and Joe Chealey (21 points) led the way for CofC.

Other than similar statistics from both teams throughout the game in terms of rebounding, steals, and shooting percentages, the Seahawks shot a staggering 67 percent from the field in the second half, which proved to be too much for the opposition. Led by Bryce, UNCW’s early second half run put them in front for good and they never looked back.

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UNCW won its school record 29th game of the season, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Head coach Kevin Keatts, a Rick Pitino protege, will lead his squad into the Big Dance for a second consecutive season. Last year, the Seahawks lost as a 13 seed to four seeded Duke by a score of 93-85 in the Round of 64. The Colonial champion will be a team to watch for come Selection Sunday considering their potential to be a giant killer in the first weekend.