The University of North Carolina basketball team’s first appearance at the NCAA “March Madness” basketball tournament in a decade was enough to draw thousands to Trask Coliseum on Thursday to watch the game. And that the game was against an in-state rival with national prominence like Duke University drew out the fans’ passions, as the crowd enthusiastically cheered on the Seahawks until the Blue Devils eventually outpaced them in the game’s final seconds.
Despite losing 93-85, the fans at Trask were thrilled by the effort of the team led by second-year coach Kevin Keatts. The Seahawks end the season with a 25-8 record and as the Colonial Athletic Association champions.
“I’m so proud of them,” UNCW sophomore McKenna Nelson said. “They may never do this again in our college career.”
UNCW opened Trask Coliseum to students, faculty and fans from the community. Students got free pizza for the game. Two sides of the 5,200 seat auditorium were packed with fans, most wearing the team’s distinctive teal colors.
“It’s the loudest game that I’ve ever been too,” said UNCW sophomore Samantha Ruark, who hasn’t been to many games, but was attracted by the sudden surge in school spirit.
Her friend Aria Lipscomb, also a sophomore, agreed that the NCAA tournament appearance boosted the students’ interest in the team.
“I haven’t seen us have this much school spirit,” Lipscomb said. “It’s so exciting playing a team that we don’t play very often. I’m a Duke fan, so it’s a hard game for me.”
The fans had plenty to cheer about. UNCW led 43-40 at the half and after falling back behind at the beginning of the second half, they narrowed the Blue Devils lead to just five points, at 90-85, with less than a minute remaining. The Seahawks couldn’t get any closer as Duke made their late free throws to seal the win.
Still, the fans were impressed by their team’s effort.
“This was incredible,” said sophomore Mark Nettles. “Some people said we wouldn’t score 50.”
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