Feb. 26, 2007

Box Score

New Britain, CT - The Wagner Men's basketball team suffered a 79-54 loss at Northeast Conference regular season champion Central Connecticut St at Detrick Gymnasium. The Seahawks now turn their sights on the NEC Tournament starting on Thursday. Wagner (8-10 NEC; 11-18 overall) earns the 7th seed in the tournament and will face 2nd seeded Sacred Heart.

The Seahawks missed 10 of their first 12 from the field as CCSU (16-2; 19-11) built up a 14-4 advantage at 12:44 in the first half. Wagner would cut the deficit back down to five (18-13) following three straight free throws from junior Mark Porter (Atlantic City, NJ / St. Augustine's Prep) with 6:33 to play in the period.

A three and an inside lay-up from junior James Ulrich (Mt. Laurel, NJ / Camden Catholic) kept the lead at five (23-18) for the Blue Devils a few minutes later when Tristian Blackwood took over the game for CCSU. Blackwood scored the next seven points as the lead quickly grew up to 13 before a three by Porter in the final second of the half.

The second half featured more of the same as CCSU scored the first six points of the period and never looked back. A basket by Ulrich would close the gap to 46-33 with 15 minutes to play, but the Blue Devils answered with back to back threes to put the game away. The lead eventually grew to 27 in the closing minutes before the final buzzer.

Ulrich led the team with 14 points while Porter also finished in double figures with 10 points. Wagner shot just 32.2 percent from the field.

Blackwood led everyone with 28 points, hitting six three pointers. Obie Nwadike added 18 points and 14 rebounds for CCSU which made 49.0 percent for the game and held a 39-35 edge on the glass.

Wagner is back in action on Thursday in the first round of the NEC Tournament at Sacred Heart Game time is set for 7:00 pm