Richmond, VA. | The UNC Wilmington men’s basketball team is back. Not back to the NCAA Tournament as a legitimate mid-major contender. That remains to be seen, anyway. But, the Seahawks took a step out of the familiar, first-round-exit rut by defeating James Madison University, 70-59, in the opening game of the CAA Tournament, Friday afternoon.

With the victory, UNCW earned a date with regular season champion Drexel University, Saturday at noon.

“This tournament win really helps our team, because we want to end on a positive note,” Seahawk coach Buzz Peterson said. “Our young men have hung in there. I told them, ‘Let’s don’t be satisfied. You never know what can happen from here.’

“Drexel is the No. 1 seed; the pressure is on them to win the thing. We can go out there tomorrow relaxed and play with a lot of energy like we did today.”

Last time these two teams met, the Dragons ran away with a 79-57 victory in Trask Coliseum, Jan. 14. Like the Seahawks’ first round opponent, Drexel has only played UNCW once.

“Last time we played, they took it to us pretty good at home,” Peterson added. “Our guys will be ready.”

Four Dragons scored in double figures, and All-CAA First Team member Frantz Massenat chipped in nine and five assists. Drexel (25-5 overall, 16-2 CAA) held a large rebounding advantage, winning the margin 35-25. The Dragons’ backcourt is explosive; and a defensive emphasis from UNCW’s guards is a must. When they’re held under 60 points, they are 0-4.

Drexel has won 17 games in a row and 23 of its last 24. The Seahawks will take the court as a heavy underdog. It’s March, though, and this is college basketball. Peterson’s wife, Jan, held up a sign during Friday’s game that read: “It’s Never Too Late, Dig Deep.” UNCW responded with energy that it had been lacking during its previous six-game losing streak.

If team records truly start over in the postseason, Drexel, which had a bye in the first round, is 0-0. The Seahawks are on a winning streak. They’re 1-0.