When Trevor Deloach connected on his first three-point field goal at the 14:14 mark of the first half, he backpedaled with his tongue out and flashed a smile. Things had changed.

Deloach had previously been shooting 17 percent from distance this season. UNC Wilmington men’s basketball players hadn’t been doing much smiling, as the Seahawks had lost four consecutive games and seven of their last eight, and their third-leading scorer had been suspended for detrimental conduct.

Deloach would go on to score a season-high 16 points, as UNCW defeated William & Mary, 81-68.

“I was just trying to be aggressive offensively,” Deloach said, adding that his first shot was a relief. “I talked to Adam (Smith) and Donte (Morales), we sat down and talked after the last game, and they told me to be myself.

“I had been in a little slump at the three-point line, so it felt good to hit a couple.”

Adam Smith led all scorers with 25 points, Tanner Milson chipped in 13 points and five assists and Keith Rendleman added 12 points and 12 rebounds. Seven of the nine Seahawks that entered the game scored.

“It feels good to win,” UNCW coach Buzz Peterson said. “For these young men that have worked extremely hard and to come out there and pay the price with what they’ve done to get a win, I’m extremely proud of them.”

Peterson employed a four-guard lineup for most of the game, allowing his guards to look for easy baskets in transition. The Seahawk backcourt accounted for 66 points.

Smith, the team’s second-leading scorer, appreciates the up-tempo style. “I think it makes us more of an outside threat,” Smith said. “We run better when we have four guards out there.”

William & Mary is still searching for answers. The Tribe, losers of eight consecutive games and 12 of its last 14, fell victim to hot perimeter shooting by the Seahawks. UNCW shot 71 percent from the field in the second half, including a perfect 5-of-5 from the three-point line.

“We just got outplayed,” Tribe coach Tony Shaver said. “They shot the ball really well and we didn’t.”

Both teams are back in action Wednesday night. UNCW (9-14 overall, 5-8 CAA) travels to Delaware, and William & Mary (4-21, 2-11) hosts Old Dominion.