GAME NOTES: After losing in the Southland Conference Tournament Championship Game, the Sam Houston State Bearkats will play host to the UNC Wilmington Seahawks in the first round of the CollegeInsider.com Tournament on Wednesday night at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum.

After opening the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament with a victory in the quarterfinal round, the Seahawks were then eliminated by Northeastern in the semifinals by a score of 78-71. UNC Wilmington currently sits at 18-13 overall.

For the second straight season, Sam Houston State was unable to defeat Stephen F. Austin in the Southland Championship Game, as the Bearkats fell to the Lumberjacks, 83-70. Stephen F. Austin now sits at 25-7 this season.

These teams have never met on the hardwood, but they are connected through former coach Robert McPherson, who coached both the Seahawks (1987-90) and Lumberjacks (1982-86).

Although the Seahawks shot 48.1 percent from the field against Northeastern, including 8-of-17 from beyond the arc, they allowed the Huskies to net 48.7 percent of their field-goal tries. Northeastern also hurt UNC Wilmington from the foul line, where it converted 17-of-21 free-throw attempts, and outscored the Seahawks 17-11. The Huskies also won the rebounding battle, 34-23. Jordon Talley led UNC Wilmington with 18 points and four assists in the loss.

Addison Spruill paces the Seahawks with 14.3 ppg and 6.5 rpg, while Freddie Jackson is second on the team in scoring with 13.2 ppg. UNC Wilmington scores 69.6 ppg and converts 44.3 percent of its field-goal attempts. On the defensive end, the Seahawks limit opponents to 68.2 ppg and a 42.4 shooting percentage, including just 32.5 percent from 3-point range. UNC Wilmington ranks first in the CAA for total steals per game (7.7) and blocked shots per game (4.4).

The Bearkats shot just 36.1 percent from the field against Stephen F. Austin, including just 3-of-20 from 3-point distance. Sam Houston State allowed the Lumberjacks to connect on 48.1 percent of their field-goal attempts while also being outscored by SFA on bench points (12-2) and 3-point field-goals (24-9). Michael Holyfield led Sam Houston State with a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds in the defeat.

DeMarcus Gatlin is the only player averaging double figures for the Bearkats with 10.7 ppg, while Holyfield is the team's top rebounder with 8.0 rpg. Sam Houston State averages an impressive 79.3 ppg and converts 43 percent of its field-goal tries. Sam Houston State limits opponents to 58.7 ppg and allows them to convert only 38.3 percent of their tries from the field, including just 31.1 percent from beyond the arc. The Bearkats are comfortably in the black for rebounding margin (+7.4).

In these two teams' first ever matchup, it appears the Seahawks may be at a mismatch. The Bearkats have excelled this season on the defensive end of the floor, have demonstrated a strong presence down low, and can score at least 70 points a game. Expect Sam Houston State to advance with ease.