As exams are set to begin at UNC Wilmington, the Seahawk’s Men’s Basketball team faced a big test of their own and passed easily as they beat Campbell 69-50 at Trask Coliseum Dec. 3.

Coach Buzz Peterson talked after the game about how the team had discussed the importance of a victory against the Fighting Camels, saying it would “validate what happened on Sunday (against ECU).”

Guard Freddie Jackson, who scored 11 points off the bench, echoed Peterson’s comments.

“It was very important for us to get this victory,” Jackson said. “Coach kept pressing us about how a win at ECU doesn’t mean anything unless we get this one.”

The Seahawks (6-5) eliminated any doubt of a letdown by jumping out on Campbell (4-4) early in the game. After Campbell forward Leek Leek tied it up 7-7, the Seahawks went on a 22-2 run in just over a six-minute span.

Bench scoring was key during the run, accounting for 17 of the 22 points. Chris Dixon, who didn’t see action in the ECU game, came off the bench in relief of Ben Eblen in the first half and had 11 points and just one turnover. Additionally, guard Craig Ponder scored a season-high 10 points.

Though the bench shined, the starters didn’t play too badly themselves. Addison Spruill played just 13 minutes, but hit a huge three-pointer at the halftime buzzer that sent the Seahawks into the locker room with some momentum. Forward Cedrick Williams played great defense inside, forcing opponents into tough shots and grabbing four steals.

Player of the Game, however, was Shane Reybold, who recorded his first career double-double. His scored 15 points while grabbing 10 rebounds, and one scary fall that he laughed about after the game.

UNCW’s defense was great, holding Campbell to just 36 percent shooting. Campbell hurt themselves badly at the free throw line, making only two of 13 attempts.

Campbell’s coach Kevin McGeehan was disappointed in the team’s miscues.

“We didn’t do enough today to put ourselves in the position to win a game,” McGeehan said. “2 for 13 from the line, 6 for 24 from 3, and getting out-rebounded by 13…you’re not winning many of those games.”

The Seahawk’s defensive efforts appear more and more to be part of a growing trend. Tuesday’s win over the Camels marks four straight games in which the Seahawks have held their opponents to under 40 percent shooting.

While appearing to be on a bit of a roll, Peterson said afterwards he’d like to play another game—“you’ve got to get that engine going, the car running, stick it in cruise and let it go down the road…we’re getting there.”

The Seahawks will look to continue that momentum after exams against Manhattan on Dec. 15.