By james art 
WILMINGTON, NC – Eight Seahawks reached double figures as UNCW erupted for 81 points in the first half en route to a school record in scoring with a 143-91 victory against Mount Olive in the men’s basketball season opener Monday night at Trask Coliseum.
The Seahawks, who surpassed the previous record of 126 points against Pfeiffer on Dec. 3, 2016, began 2024-25 with a 1-0 record on 68.8 percent (53 of 77) shooting from the field, including a scorching 53.6 percent (15 of 28) from the range of three points.
The contest was considered a showcase for the Trojans, who shot 43.8 percent (35-of-80) but were limited to 18.5 percent (5-of-27) from beyond the arc.
Graduate security guard Bo Montgomery was one point shy of his career-high 22 points off the bench to lead all scorers. The carrying of the Holy Cross was assisted by a Junior Guardsman To Noah Ross career-best 19 markers while Harlan Obioha (17), Joshua Corbin (16), Jake Murphy (career high 15), Donovan Newby (15), Alchen Williams (11) and Sean Moore (10).
A trio of UMO players – Lureon Walker (19), Kobe Jones (17) and Reford Dunton (14) – topped double figures.
UNCW, never trailing, scored its first 10 points of the season and raced out to a 14-3 lead at the 16:34 mark of the first half. The Seahawks then extended their lead to 30 points with a quick 15-2 stretch in less than three minutes to go up 55-25 with 5:34 left in the first half.
Ross’ layup with 28 seconds left in the half gave UNCW another school record for points in a half and went into halftime ahead, 81-43.
The Seahawks never let up and topped 1,000 points for the seventh time in the Takayo Siddle era of a Macoy Mabor layup with 13:19 left in the game.
A Montgomery jumper with 7:10 left in the game broke the school record for team points and made it 127-71.
UNCW will resume its season Friday against Georgia Southern at 7 p.m. For tickets, visit UNCWSports.com/BuyTickets.