Wilmington, NC - Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Cape Fear vs USC Salkehatchie
Cape Fear loses 97-84
Highlights: The Cape Fear Community College men's basketball team fought fiercely on their home court Wednesday afternoon, but ultimately fell 97-84 to the No. 2-ranked USC Salkehatchie Indians in a high-energy Region 10 Conference matchup.
For much of the first half, the Sea Devils and Indians were evenly matched, trading possessions and showcasing their ability to score in transition. Cape Fear found success catching Salk off guard in fast breaks and exploiting defensive gaps to sink jumpers, while Salk countered with quick backdoor cuts to the rim. Both teams pushed the tempo, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
Late in the first half, momentum shifted slightly in favor of the Indians as they capitalized on a scoring run. A few crucial referee calls didn't go Cape Fear's way, allowing Salk to take a narrow lead into halftime.
Determined to claw their way back, the Sea Devils came out in the second half battling for every possession. Despite their grit and intensity, they struggled to connect from beyond the arc at key moments. Salk took advantage, applying a relentless full-court press that tested Cape Fear's composure. Though the Sea Devils made a late push to close the gap, small errors and shot selection ultimately proved to be the difference-makers.
Individually, JJ Moore was a relentless force, hustling on both ends of the court to win loose balls and help his team stay in the fight. AuMauri Tillman played smart in foul trouble and made his presence felt on both offense and defense. Avion Pinner's leadership was evident as he rallied the team through tough stretches, while Cooper Hawk delivered clutch fast-break points. Ben Ferguson also contributed valuable minutes, providing a calm presence and facilitating ball movement.
While the loss stings, the Sea Devils showed their resilience against a strong Region 10 Conference opponent. With the season still unfolding, Cape Fear remains in the hunt for a higher seeding (currently at No. 4), sitting a smidge behind Wake Tech in the Region 10 standings.
