WILMINGTON, North Carolina – UNC Wilmington (7-8, 1-5 Colonial Athletic Association) clawed its way back from a 17-point deficit halfway through the opening frame but Hofstra (11-6, 7-3 CAA) put the final nail in the coffin late to seal an 89-83 victory and series sweep inside of Trask Coliseum.

Sunday’s defeat marks the fifth loss in six games for Takayo Siddle and UNCW, all of which have been decided by single digits.

“Our guys fought,” said Siddle. “I’m proud of our guys. I really don’t have anything negative to say about our group…I’m asking guys to play close to 40 minutes a game and they’re playing so hard, which is what our standard is here.”

Coach Siddle played a total of six guys in Sunday’s matchup with Hofstra, five of which played 30 minutes or more.

Mike Okauru logged 39 minutes just a day after playing the entirety of Saturday’s matchup. The senior had a career-high 30 points and becomes the first Seahawk player to score 30 points since Jordon Talley when he dropped 37 against Hofstra in the 2018 CAA tournament.

“Mike is doing an unbelievable job,” said Siddle. “I’ve been knowing Mike for a while…he’s stepped in and done an unbelievable job.”

After a quiet four points in Saturday’s contest, UNCW’s Jake Boggs had a bounce-back game, scoring the Seahawks’ first 10 points and ending with 21.

Hofstra’s Isaac Kante gave the Hawks more trouble in the paint on Sunday. The 6-foot-7-inch, 240 lb. big man led the pride in scoring with a season-high 21 points and grabbed five rebounds.

The Seahawks will have the workweek to prepare for a two-game series against Elon (3-5, 0-4 CAA) that starts on Feb. 6 at 4 p.m.