Wilmington, NC - Saturday, March 1, 2025

Cape Fear vs Caldwell

Cape Fear wins 105-97

Highlights: In a fast-paced, high-energy matchup, the Cape Fear Community College men's basketball team held off Caldwell in a 105-97 victory. The Sea Devils came out strong, but lapses in execution gave Caldwell room to stay in the fight.

Cape Fear looked dominant in the opening minutes, using their signature up-tempo play and strong rebounding to build an early lead. However, a few defensive missteps and moments of miscommunication allowed Caldwell to hang around, knocking down shots and keeping the game within reach.

Despite the back-and-forth battle, the Sea Devils found their rhythm when it mattered most. Late in the second half, Cape Fear turned up the intensity, forcing key turnovers and capitalizing on fast-break opportunities. Their ability to push the pace, finish at the rim, and make clutch plays in transition sealed the win.

Cape Fear's depth and athleticism shined once again, with multiple players stepping up to make an impact. Avoin Pinner was a dominant presence on both ends of the floor with strong rebounding and clutch buckets. JJ Moore and Caleb Gilmore were solid on the free throw line to keep the Sea Devils ahead in high-pressure situations towards the end of the game. Jessiah Pierre-Johnson came off the bench with 18 points and truly gave the Sea Devils a needed spark.

Their aggressive rebounding gave them second-chance opportunities, while their ability to attack the basket kept pressure on Caldwell's defense. As the postseason approaches, the Sea Devils will look to tighten their defensive execution and build on the momentum from this high-scoring victory.

"We found a way to win when things got tough, which is exactly the right mindset we need as we move towards tournament play soon," says Head Men's Basketball Coach Mark Lane. "But our job is not done - we have a game this Wednesday and we're determined to finish the regular season strong."