Photo creds: @UNCWMENSHOOPS
DAYTONA BEACH, FL- Jaylen Sims and Mike Okauru combined for 56 points, as the UNC Wilmington Seahawks (27-9, 15-3 CAA) would win their first-ever postseason championship in a 96-90 comeback win against the MTSU Blue Devils (26-11, 13-5 C-USA).
The game started as a close battle between the Seahawks and Blue Raiders.
Donovan Sims was hot early for the Blue Raiders, with 13 points in the first half. Jaylen Sims also had a strong start for the Seahawks, with 10 points entering halftime.
The Blue Raiders entered halftime with a 34-30 lead over UNC Wilmington and shot 9-of-24 (37.5%) from the field and 4-of-14 from deep. MITSU was also 12-of-14 from the free-throw line in the first half.
The Seahawks were shooting 10-of-24 (41.7%) from the field and 3-of-10 (30.0%) from behind the arc.
The Blue Raiders opened the second half with a 9-3 run to increase their lead to 10-points. MTSU tried to pull away, but the Seahawks went on a 9-2 run to cut their deficit to four points with 7:57 left in regulation.
The Seahawks continued to attack, as a 3-pointer from Jaylen Sims cut their deficit to a one-possession game, down 61-59 with 2:59 left in the game.
The Blue Raiders responded with a jump shot from Deandre Dishman and a layup from Eli Lawrence to give MTSU a two-possession lead with 30 seconds left.
MTSU tried to close the game out from the free-throw line, however, the Blue Raiders missed a few free throws, and the Seahawks scored seven points to send the game to overtime.
Overtime & Double OT
Justin Bufford missed a free throw in the final 18 seconds of overtime, but Teafale Lenard was fouled by Jaylen Sims while getting the offensive rebound. That was Jaylen Sims’ final foul, and he was fouled out of the game.
Lenard then missed both free throws, and Okauru was fouled while getting the defensive board.
Okauru made both of his free throws to go up by three points. However, Donovan Sims made a deep 3-pointer to send the game to double overtime.
Down 91-88, Tyler Millin made two free-throws to cut the Blue Raiders deficit to one. However, Teafale was called for an intentional foul.
That gave the Seahawks two free-throws and an extra possession. Khadim Samb made the first and missed the second. Samb was then fouled again and he made both of his free throws to secure the win.
The Seahawks would win their first postseason championship and became the second team in the Conference USA to ever win a Roman CBI Championship.
Sims-Okauru Connection
Jaylen Sims and Okauru were the players of the game for the Seahawks.
Sims had 28 points and seven rebounds while shooting 6-of-13 (46.2%) from the field and 14-of-15 (93.3%) from the free-throw line.
Okauru also scored 28 points, along with five rebounds. He also shot 10-of-12 (83.3%) from the free-throw line.
Blue Raiders’ Season
Despite the loss, the Blue Raiders’ season was not in vain. They were the number one ranked team in the Conference USA, and this game showed why.
The leading scorer for the Blue Raiders, Donavan Sims, had 27 points while shooting 5-of-17 (29.4%) from the field and 14-of-16 (87.5%) from the free-throw line.
The Blue Raiders finished the game shooting 22-of-65 (38.5%) from the field and 6-of-28 (21.4%) from deep. They also shot 34-of-46 (73.9%) from the stripe.
MTSU also out-rebounded the Seahawks 52-38.
 would win their first-ever postseason championship in a 96-90 comeback win against the MTSU Blue Devils (26-11, 13-5 C-USA).){kind=link}