Jan. 22, 2007

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Staten Island, NY -Wagner sophomore Joey Mundweiler (Olathe, KS / Olathe East) racked up a game high 23 points and equaled a Wagner school record with seven three pointers as the Seahawks defeated the visiting Blackbirds by a final of 88-74. The win improves Wagner to 3-4 in the NEC and 6-12 on the year. LIU falls to 3-5 in conference play and 7-12 on the year.

The Seahawks shot a blazing 12-23 (52.2 percent) from three as five players scored in double figures including junior James Ulrich (Mt. Laurel, NJ / Camden Catholic) who produced a double-double with 18 points and 14 rebounds. In the process Wagner ended a four game losing streak to LIU.

Mundweiler came out shooting from the opening tip shooting 5-6 from three and scoring 17 points in the opening half. His back-to-back three's around the 12 minute mark completed a 15-3 Wagner run that left them ahead 23-11. Another triple by Mundweiler would later extend the lead up to 16 (33-17) with eight minutes left in the half. LIU would cut the margin back down to nine three minutes later, but Wagner which shot 9-14 from three in the half, and Mundweiler continued to shoot well and took a 45-33 lead at the half.

The second half was played even until the 15 minute mark when Wagner managed a 17 point cushion after four straight points from sophomore Mark Porter (Atlantic City, NJ / St. Augustine's Prep). The lead was still at 17 five minutes later following a three from senior Matt Vitale (Brooklyn, NY / St. Edmund's Prep). Esa Maki-Tulokas answered with eight straight points for LIU including two straight three's to bring the Blackbirds back within nine (61-52).

James Ulrich recorded his third career double-double

Sophomore Llewchean Radford (Newport News, VA / Heritage) followed with a scored inside on the next possession for Wagner and two more baskets by the Seahawks quickly pushed the lead back to 15. The Green and White would then clinch the game at the foul line down the stretch.

Sophomore Jamal Smith (Baltimore, MD / Towson Catholic) added 15 points for Wagner shooting 6-6 from the field. He was followed by Porter (six assists) and Vitale who rounded out the double digit scorers. Wagner held a 40-37 edge in rebounding while shooting 56.3 percent for the game.

Maki-Tulokas led LIU with 16 points and Aubin Scott added 14. LIU shot just 25.6 percent from three (10-39) and ended the game hitting 40.0 percent from the field.

The Seahawks are back in action at Mount St. Mary's on Thursday.

~wagnerathletics.com ~