The Seahawk

Issue date: 11/18/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Jason Barnette Senior guard Johnny Wolf had five points and four assists in Sunday's loss to George Washington.

After an 11-point season-opening loss to Appalachian State, the UNCW men's basketball team was unable to bounce back as they lost their home opener to the Colonials of George Washington, 76-71. Trask Coliseum was electric as the pre-game atmosphere bustled with just over 3,000 fans who were Tealin' it; however, George Washington played with uncanny resiliency and patience as they hounded the Seahawks for the entire game.

UNCW led nearly the entire game before George Washington staged a furious rally to hand the Seahawks their first loss in a home opener since 1998 against Princeton.

In the first half, senior Montez Downey poured in 11 of the Seahawks first 21 points, finishing the game with a team-high 15 points. UNCW closed out the first half on an 11-5 run, which included freshman big man Keith Rendleman's put-back at the buzzer. Rendleman finished with 11 points and 16 rebounds to record his first double-double as a Seahawk.

The Seahawks entered the locker room at halftime with a comfortable nine-point lead, 41-32.

Junior Chad Tomko was cleared to play minutes before tip-off after sitting out the season opener against Appalachian State. Tomko was sidelined with a Jones fracture in his foot, which required surgery in early November. Although Tomko impacted the game with 13 points, it was difficult for him to find his rhythm amidst the ebb and flow of the game. "My foot felt pretty good, but I got tired easily," Tomko said.

Rendleman was forced to step up as the Seahawks were also without junior transfer John Fields who was serving a one-game suspension. Fields was issued the suspension by Colonial Athletic Association Commissioner Tom Yeager for a violation of the conference's standards of sportsmanship. Fields was ejected from the game at Appalachian State following a flagrant foul.

The second half started off smoothly for the Seahawks as they continued to hold the Colonials at bay. At the 15-minute mark, Tomko completed a traditional 3-point play after picking the pocket of GWU guard Travis King. Tomko made the lay-up and free throw to give the Seahawks a 49-38 lead.

But the Colonials would not be ignored as they went on an 11-2 run fueled by Aaron Ware who finished with a game-high 16 points. The Seahawks couldn't buy a basket at one point in the second half, as GWU pulled within two points with 11:23 left in the game.

Continued...

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