Feb. 24, 2006

Box Score

STATEN ISLAND, NY - Wagner College was handed a 61-50 loss by visiting Long Island University in the final home game of the year for the Seahawks.

Sophomore Ali Ridge (Barrington, IL / Fremd) led the way for Wagner with 16 points and nine rebounds followed by classmate Chelsey Bunyer (Shannon, IL / Eastland) who totaled 14 points in the game.

The first half was closely played and featured three ties and five lead changes between the two teams. After Ridge scored the first four points of the game for Wagner, the Blackbirds went on a 9-0 run for a five point lead at the 14:24 mark.

The Seahawks would then use a 14-4 stretch later in the opening stanza to gain a 20-15 lead with 5:33 to go before halftime. Senior Joy Gallagher (Hazleton, PA / Hazleton) set off the run with a three point play and later added a traditional three during the run for Wagner. LIU would then close the period on a 5-0 run which put them up 28-26 at the half.

In the second half, Bunyer tied the game on the Seahawks first possession before an 11-2 LIU burst that included a pair of Amber Wirth three-pointers. The run, which lasted over seven minutes, left Wagner trailing 39-30 at the 13:20 mark.

The Seahawks would fight back and were down just three points (41-38) with 8:39 to play before a decisive 12-4 LIU spurt that gave the visitor control of the game. Wirth nailed two additional threes during the span as she would finish with a game high 20 points.

Jumpers by senior Joyce Queiroz (Sao Paulo, Brazil / Colegio Spinosa) and Bunyer put Wagner back within seven (53-46) with 1:57 left, but the Blackbirds would hit 6-8 free throws down the stretch to seal the win.

Ridge shot 8-12 from the field as the Seahawks connected on 42.1 percent (24-57) as a team, but just .125 (1-8) from three. LIU made 45.5 percent (20-44) of its attempts and held a 32-28 lead on the glass. The Seahawks committed a season low 13 turnovers in the game.

Wagner will close out the 2005-06 season on Tuesday when they travel to Fairleigh Dickinson for a 7:00 pm contest.

~SEAHAWKS~