FINAL STATS

Newark, NJ – Balanced scoring, led by a game-high 19 points from senior forward Jamal Smith (Baltimore, MD/ Towson Catholic), carried Wagner to a 68-58 victory over NJIT.

With the win, Wagner improved to 7-3 on the season while NJIT, which has now lost 45 straight games, fell to 0-12.

Smith injured his left knee on two separate occasions in the game, once in each half. Both times, he laid on the floor writhing in pain and yet was able to return to the game and contribute positively both times. The gritty Smith was one of four Seahawks to hit for double figures on the afternoon. Joining Smith in double digits were senior forward Llew Radford (Newport News, VA/ Heritage) who finished with 13, while junior center Michael Orock (Hoboken, NJ/ Hoboken) and fifth-year senior guard Joey Mundweiler (Olathe, KS/ Olathe East) added 10 points apiece.

Wagner built a comfortable 34-22 lead but the Highlanders opened the second half on a 25-12 tear to take its only lead of the game at 47-46 on a Paulius Skema free throw with 9:13 left to play. Wagner responded with a 12-2 run over the next 6:03, keyed by six points from Smith, to regain control of the game at 58-48 with 3:10 left to play.

Redshirt junior guard Doug Elwell (Staten Island, NY/ Monsignor Farrell) played a stellar floor game in playing a key role in the win. While he scored just one point, the 6-5 Elwell dished out a career-high seven assists, many of the acrobatic, thread-the-needle variety, and added five rebounds. Fifth-year senior point guard Justin Drummond (Baltimore, MD/ McDonogh) contributed four points and five assists in the win.

Wagner shot 47% from the field while NJIT checked in at 41%. The Seahawks held a 38-34 advantage in the rebounding department. The final stat sheet illustrates how well Wagner distributed the ball as the Seahawks finished with 18 assists on 26 made field goals.

Guard Jheryl Wilson led NJIT with 16 points while Isaiah Wilkerson and Gary Garris added 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Wagner has a quick turnaround as the Seahawks travel to Manhattan, KS to meet the Kansas St. Wildcats on Tuesday at 7:00 pm.