The UNC Wilmington men’s basketball team dropped a heart breaker Wednesday night as they fell to conference foe Northeastern, 70-66, in a game that was full of energy.

The Seahawks (10-11, 4-6 CAA) battled in the opening minutes of the game, trading blows with Northeastern (6-15, 2-8 CAA) until the seven-minute mark in the first half when UNCW pulled ahead by three. Not only would this be the Seahawk’s biggest lead of the game, it was also their last.

Senior guard Chad Tomko did everything he could to keep the Seahawks in the game as he poured in 23 points along with six assists and two steals. It’s not the offense that Tomko is worried about, however. “Defensively, we’ve got to pick it up,” he said. “It’s a simple as that.”

UNCW’s defensive struggles were evident as the Huskies drilled eight three-point baskets in the first half, one more than their single-game average. Allen Chaisson led the Northeastern with 20 points and was aided by 14 points from teammate Joel Smith chipped in.

UNCW coach Buzz Peterson took notice of the two opposing threats and will likely key on locking down on them the next time these two teams square off. “They played with confidence, knocked down the shot, drove it when they had to,” said Peterson.

Peterson, like Tomko, also wasn’t worried about the offensive side of the ball as he stressed the need for the Seahawks to step up defensively. “The last two games we have not defended well at all,” he said. “We need to get back to the basics.”

Despite the impressive offensive show that Northeastern presented, the Seahawks fought back in the second half and tied the game at 64 with 1:55 remaining. Northeastern, however, continued its solid night from the free throw line and pulled away for good in the final minute.

This loss marks the Seahawks’ fourth consecutive loss against Northeastern, a streak that won’t be tested again until UNCW travels to Boston on February 26.

The Seahawks look to snap a two-game losing streak on Saturday as they visit fellow CAA member VCU.