WILMINGTON, N.C. - Less than 48 hours after dropping a 79-68 decision to Appalachian State in the 2009-10 season opener, the UNC Wilmington men's basketball team heads back to the court Sunday for a 4:30 p.m. tip-off against Atlantic 10 Conference member George Washington.
The last time the two teams met, they locked up in an NCAA Tournament overtime thriller at the Greensboro Coliseum on Mar. 16, 2006. The Colonials erased an 18-point second-half deficit to advance to the next round and send the Seahawks home.
"I wasn't here for that game, but a lot of fans remember it," said Benny Moss, UNCW's fourth-year coach. "George Washington is still a very talented team. They have an athletic group and Coach (Karl) Hobbs has a good mix of newcomers and veterans."
The Colonials are making their season debut after dispatching West Georgia, 78-44, in an exhibition tilt on Nov. 7 in the nation's capital. Freshman swing man Lasan Kromah led a balanced attack with 14 points, including 2-for-5 behind the arc.
"We don't know a lot about them because it's so early in the season," Moss continued. "We just want to concentrate on what we need to do. I know our guys are disappointed with Friday's result and want to get back on the court to prove themselves."
The Seahawks did a lot of things right on Friday, but spotted the Mountaineers a 13-point halftime lead and couldn't get all the way back by the time the buzzer sounded. It was the first season-opening loss in Moss' four years on the bench.
UNCW will be battling the Colonials without Friday's leading scorer and rebounder, junior center John Fields, and possibly junior playmaker Chad Tomko. Fields was ejected with four seconds remaining for a flagrant foul and CAA Commissioner Tom Yeager ruled Saturday that the Fayetteville, N.C., product must serve a one-game suspension. Tomko, meanwhile, is still recovering from foot injury two weeks ago.
"Every team faces adversity at some point in the season and we're no different," said Moss. "Other guys are just going to have to step up and answer the bell."
Fields was spectacular in his first game as a Seahawk with 21 points, seven rebounds and four blocks in an all-around game and nearly led the Seahawks to a come-from-behind victory down the stretch. UNCW narrowed the deficit to four points with 32 seconds remaining before Appalachian State sealed the deal.
One player on the GW roster will be familiar to local fans. Former New Hanover High School standout David Pellom, a 6-8, 212-pound forward, is beginning his first season with the Colonials.
Following Sunday's matinee, the Seahawks travel to Charleston on Thursday for three games in the Charleston Classic at Carolina First Arena. UNCW's first opponent will be Big Ten power Penn State at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday in a game being televised nationally by ESPNU.
