WILMINGTON, N.C. – Trailing by nine with just 2:46 remaining against Colonial Athletic Association leader UNCW, William & Mary fought all the way back to send the game to overtime.
 
Unfortunately, the visiting Tribe could not complete the comeback as Shykeim Phillips scored 11 of his career-high 24 points in leading the Seahawks (18-7, 12-2 CAA) to an 80-73 overtime victory on Valentine's Day.
 
Down 63-54 following an UNCW free throw, sophomore Connor Kochera sparked the Tribe comeback. Freshmen Landon Hatton and Julian Lewis each knocked down a pair of free throws, before Quinn Blair kicked to Kochera for a corner 3-pointer, cutting the gap to 63-61 with 1:13 left.
 
After a stop on the defensive end, Kochera hit a leaning one-hander with 28 seconds remaining to draw the Tribe (5-22, 4-10 CAA) even.
 
After Mike Okauru missed a 3-pointer for the Seahawks in the closing seconds, W&M had a chance to win at the buzzer. Kochera grabbed the rebound, raced up court and dished to graduate student Brandon Carroll for an open look from 3, but it hit off the back iron at the horn.
 
The Tribe extended the run to 10-0 and took the lead 64-63 on Hatton free throw a minute into the extra period. Phillips though took over and scored six in a row on an old-fashion 3-point play and a 3-pointer to put the Seahawks in front for good.
 
The deficit was just four, 73-69, with 50 seconds when Phillips missed a runner in the lane. The shot hit the backboard without the benefit of the rim and just a second left on the shot clock. The rebound came back to him and the shot clock reset allowing Phillips to get the putback and the foul. After a lengthy review, the official upheld the call and UNCW's lead went the final margin of seven, 76-69.
 
The Tribe finished the game at 36.5% (23-of-63) from the floor, including 8-of-22 from 3 (36.4%). UNCW shot 40% (24-of-60) overall and 30.8% (8-of-26) from deep. The Seahawks also held the advantage at the free-throw line hitting 24-of-27 (80%) compared to 73.1% (19-of-26) for W&M. The Green and Gold outrebounded UNCW, 42-40, including 14 offensive rebounds.
 
Jaylen Sims led all scorers with 26 points. Carroll just missed a double-double for W&M with 13 points, including four first-half 3-pointers, and nine rebounds, while Wight added 13 points and five rebounds before fouling out. Kochera scored all 12 of his points in the second half and overtime, while Lewis rounded out the double-digit scorers with 11.
 
The Seahawks led 31-27 at the half, but W&M quickly cut the deficit to one, 31-30, thanks to a top of the key 3-pointer from Lewis just a minute and a half into the period.
 
UNCW responded in the form of Simms. The senior guard scored seven in a row to extend the home team's lead to double digits for the first time. His jumper from the right side pushed the Seahawk lead to 43-33 with 13:42 left.
 
Up Next: The Tribe returns home to host Drexel on Thursday night. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. from Kaplan Arena.