Jan. 19, 2006

Box Score

Staten Island, NY - The Seahawks were unable to break out of their funk as they dropped their third straight game by a final of 68-61 to St. Francis (PA) in the Spiro Sports Center this evening.

Junior forward Durell Vinson (Vineland, NJ / St. Augustine's Prep) recorded his sixth double-double of the year, with 20 points and 14 rebounds, but Wagner still came up short falling to 8-6 overall and 1-4 in the Northeast Conference. The Red Flash ended a 12 game losing streak overall and an eight game skid on the road with the victory as they improved to 3-14 on the year and 1-6 in the league.

The Seahawks played a strong first half for the second straight game as they used a 10-0 run to gain a 27-18 advantage at the 4:27 mark. The lead remained at nine before Garrett Farha nailed a three at the buzzer following a Wagner turnover for a 34-28 Seahawk lead at the half.

The second stanza began with Grant Surprenant scoring eight straight points for St. Francis (PA) as they climbed to within two (38-36) 3:30 into the half. Wagner freshman Doug Elwell (Staten Island, NY / Monsignor Farrell) would then can a three at the 15:00 mark to give the Seahawks their biggest lead of the half at 43-38.

The Red Flash ran off 13 straight points to take the lead for good two and a half minutes later. St. Francis hit three, three-pointers during the stretch, including a pair from Garrett Farha who scored seven points in the run completing a four-point play.

A Vinson layin at 10:18 brought Wagner back within three (51-48), but a three Surprenant, three of his 11 second half points, ended the threat. The Seahawks started to rally once again as DeEarnest McLemore (Cary, NC / Cary) hit a jumper making the deficit 58-54 with just over four minutes on the clock, but it was again answered by a Red Flash three this time from Marquis Ford.

McLemore, who finished with 11 points and a season high seven assists, also hit a three with 22 second left for a three (64-61) point margin, but free throws sealed the win for St. Francis.

Wagner shot 40.7 percent from the field and had a 40-31 advantage on the glass. The Red Flash meanwhile shot 42.9 percent, including 51.9 in the second half as they out scored the home team 40-27.

Farha scored 20 points to go along with seven rebounds and seven assists. In addition to Surprenant, Steve Profeta (11) and Jelani Lawrence (10) were also in double figures.

The Seahawks return to action on Saturday at 7:00 pm against Robert Morris at home.

~ wagnerathletics.com ~