WILMINGTON, N.C. (Interstat) — Bryce Harris scored 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as Howard held off a late rally to defeat UNC Wilmington 67-66 on Saturday at Trask Coliseum. The Bison led by 11 at halftime but needed a final defensive stop to secure the road victory after the Seahawks’ second-half surge. Howard’s defense was pivotal, forcing 12 turnovers and recording nine steals. Cedric Taylor added 15 points and 11 rebounds for Howard. Patrick Wessler posted 13 points and 14 rebounds for UNC Wilmington, which shot just 4 for 20 from three-point range. Attendance was 5,220. Howard improved to 9-5. UNC Wilmington fell to 10-2.

WILMINGTON, N.C. (Interstat) — In a stunning upset defying nearly all statistical probability, the Howard Bison escaped a furious second-half rally by UNC Wilmington to edge the Seahawks 67-66 in a nonconference men’s basketball thriller Saturday at a sold-out Trask Coliseum. Entering the game, national metrics gave the home-standing Seahawks, who boasted a 10-1 record, a 96.7% chance of victory. Howard, improving to 9-5, shredded those projections with a dominant first-half defensive display and just enough composure in the final chaotic seconds to secure its fourth consecutive win. The game’s defining sequence, and its most important part, unfolded in the final 39 seconds with Howard clinging to a one-point lead. After a critical turnover by Howard’s Cam Gillus with 1:39 remaining gave UNC Wilmington life, the Seahawks’ Nolan Hodge hit a tough jump shot off an assist from Gavin Walsh to put the home team ahead 66-65 with just 39 seconds left. Howard’s ensuing possession resulted in a missed jump shot by star forward Bryce Harris with 11 seconds remaining. UNC Wilmington’s Christian May secured the defensive rebound, and the Seahawks called a full timeout with seven seconds left to advance the ball, poised to inbound for a potential game-winning attempt. Out of the timeout, the Seahawks went to Walsh, who drove hard to the basket for a layup. His attempt was off the mark, and Harris, in a clutch redemption moment, secured the defensive rebound as time expired, sealing the improbable victory for the Bison. The frantic finish was a stark contrast to the game’s opening 20 minutes. Howard established control early with stifling defense, holding UNC Wilmington to just 27 points on 4-of-20 shooting from 3-point range in the first half. The Bison, led by the versatile duo of Harris and Cedric Taylor, built a 38-27 halftime advantage by forcing nine Seahawk turnovers and converting them into 11 points. Howard’s offensive efficiency, posting a 102.0 rating on 66 possessions compared to UNC Wilmington’s 99.2, was key. The Bison shot 44.1% from the field and a sharp 43.8% from beyond the arc, while the Seahawks finished just 20% from deep. Harris, Howard’s top performer, posted 18 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double, adding two assists, a block and a steal in 37 minutes. His frontcourt partner, Taylor, was equally instrumental, stuffing the stat sheet with 15 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, two blocks and two steals. UNC Wilmington’s comeback attempt in the second half was fueled by a significant adjustment in offensive aggression. The Seahawks scored 39 points after intermission, attacking the paint relentlessly. Patrick Wessler, the 7-foot center, was a force inside with 13 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks. Christian May facilitated the surge with 13 points, eight rebounds and six assists. The Seahawks slowly chipped away at the deficit throughout the second half, finally drawing even and then taking the brief late lead on Hodge’s jumper. But Howard’s defense, which had been so formidable early, made the final necessary stop. Cam Gillus added 16 points for Howard, while Ose Okojie contributed 14 points and six rebounds. For UNC Wilmington, Gavin Walsh came off the bench to score 11 points, and Nolan Hodge added nine points and six rebounds. The loss snapped a five-game winning streak for UNC Wilmington, which fell to 10-2. Howard, now riding its own four-game streak, will look to continue its momentum on the road at Northwestern on Dec. 30. UNC Wilmington will aim to regroup when it hosts Columbia on Dec. 27. The announced attendance at Trask Coliseum was 5,220. The combined point total of 133 fell well under the pregame over/under line of 143, a testament to the defensive struggle that defined much of the contest before its dramatic offensive conclusion.

WILMINGTON, N.C. (Interstat) — A surging UNC Wilmington squad, boasting one of the nation’s best records, will look to continue its strong start when it hosts a Howard team riding a four-game win streak in a nonconference men’s basketball matchup Saturday at Trask Coliseum. The Seahawks (10-1) have been formidable, with their lone loss coming on the road at Kent State in November. Since then, they have rattled off eight consecutive victories, including a hard-fought 73-70 win at Valparaiso last Saturday. Sophomore guard Nolan Hodge has been the offensive catalyst, erupting for a career-high 28 points in that victory. Over his last four games, Hodge is averaging 18.8 points, showcasing his ability to carry the scoring load. Howard (8-5) arrives with momentum of its own, having won its last four contests. The Bison are coming off a 74-66 road win at Drexel on Tuesday. Their success has been fueled by the all-around play of junior guard Cam Gillus, who nearly posted a triple-double against the Dragons with 16 points, nine rebounds and six assists. During the four-game win streak, Gillus has averaged 15.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists, serving as the linchpin for the Bison. This game presents a classic contrast. UNC Wilmington has built its record on a efficient, balanced attack and stout defense, holding opponents to an average of 66.5 points during its win streak. Howard, meanwhile, has shown resilience in close games, with three of its last four wins decided by six points or fewer. The Bison have proven they can win on the road, but facing a Seahawks team that is 6-0 at home this season will be their toughest test of the young season. The matchup between Hodge’s scoring prowess and Gillus’s versatile floor game will be central to the outcome. Howard will need another strong performance from forward Ose Okojie, who recorded a double-double (17 points, 10 rebounds) at Drexel, to combat UNC Wilmington’s interior presence. Tipoff is set for Saturday, Dec. 20, at Trask Coliseum. This is the final nonconference tune-up for the Seahawks before Colonial Athletic Association play begins next week. Howard will look to secure a statement road victory before heading into a break and a subsequent road game at Northwestern on Dec. 30.