NC Wilmington won its first Colonial Athletic Association title in 10 years and earned a trip to the NCAA Tournament, getting 20 points from Craig Ponder in an 80-73 overtime victory over top-seeded Hofstra on Monday night.
The game was tied before a three-point play by Seahawks freshman C.J. Bryce made it 76-73 with 1:20 left in overtime. After a Hofstra misfire, Denzel Ingram drilled a 3-pointer with 35 seconds remaining to clinch the comeback victory.
Chris Flemmings scored 19 for second-seeded UNCW (25-7) and Ingram added 17.
Rokas Gustys had 18 points and 23 rebounds for the Pride (24-9), and Ameen Tanksley scored 24. Hofstra was seeking its first CAA championship; the Pride last played in the NCAA Tournament in 2001 after winning the American East.
