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Staten Island, NY - Wagner (4-1) returns to action today against Delaware State (2-2) at 4:00 pm in the Spiro Sports Center looking to improve to 5-1 for the first time since the 2005-2006 season. The Seahawks will also be wrapping up a grueling six-game, 15-day season-opening stretch that has taken the Green & White to three different states. Today's game will be broadcast locally on Time Warner Cable in addition to being streamed through the Seahawk Broadcasting Network. The twitter hash tag for the game will be (WAGDSU).

QUICK HITS
* Wagner returns to action today, November 26, at 4:00 pm vs. Delaware State. The game is the second-straight home game for the Seahawks against a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) opponent. Previously, the Green & White bested North Carolina Central (11/16) 87-83.

* Wagner enters with a 4-1 record and has won three-straight. A victory would give the Seahawks their longest winning streak since ripping off four-straight in 2008-2009.

* A win would also give the Green & White their fifth overall and fifth non-conference victory of the year. Last year, Wagner won just four non-league games and did not collect its fifth win until December 30th against Albany.

* Today's match-up also wraps up a brutal six-game, 15-day season-opening stretch that featured four road games in three states.

* The teams have met five times previously with Delaware State holding a 4-1 advantage. All-time, Wagner is 9-6 against the MEAC.

* Sporting a 2-2 record, the Hornets have defeated NAIA schools Wilmington and Philadelphia Biblical with their losses coming on the road at Georgia Tech and Notre Dame.

* The last meeting between the teams occurred on December 2, 2004 with Delaware State claiming a 59-48 victory.

* This will be the second time that Dan Hurley has faced Delaware State during the 11 seasons that he has been associated with college basketball. On December 9, 1997 while serving as an assistant at Rutgers the Scarlet Knights bested the Hornets 85-60.

* Delaware State is led by head coach Greg Jackson, who has been on the Hornet sidelines for 12 years (169-170) after previously guiding North Carolina Central. Additionally, all three members of Jackson's coaching staff are in their 12th year on staff.

* Freshman Tahj Tate leads Delaware State in scoring (21.0 ppg) and is one of four freshmen in the Hornets' seven-man rotation as their top-three scorers are all rookies.

* Wagner enters today's game fresh off a 71-65 victory over Penn (11/22) in the first-ever meeting between the schools. The win was the third of the year against a team the Seahawks had never before beaten (Princeton, NCCU).

* The Seahawks are now a combined 2-0, all-time, against Duke and Penn. The programs have combined for over 3,500 victories but have none against the Green & White.

* Wagner is now 3-1 on the road after going 5-12 last year away from Staten Island.

* The three road wins during non-conference play match the 2005-2006 squad for the most in school history away from Grymes Hill since the beginning of NEC play in 1981-1982.

* A victory today would also give the Seahawks their first 5-1 start since the 2005-2006 season while matching the second-best start in school history (D-1 era 1976-1977).  The 1979-1980 incarnation of the Green & White began 7-0 under P.J. Carlesimo, who was Hurley's head coach at Seton Hall for three years.

* The Penn (11/22) game was a reunion for Hurley and the Quakers' Zack Rosen, who played his final two seasons of prep ball for Hurley at St. Benedict's. While Rosen led all scorers with 23 points it was Wagner that came out victorious via a 71-65 margin. Rosen nearly led Penn to a come-from-behind victory, scoring 17 of his points after halftime while going a perfect 10-for-10 from the line. Ironically enough, the Seahawks converted their final 10 from the charity stripe and were an impressive 18-for-21 (.857) for the game. It was also the second of three games to be played in the state of Pennsylvania this year for the Green & White. Wagner previously defeated Lafayette (11/19) and will next scare off with Nationally Ranked Pitt on December 23 at 8:00 pm on ESPNU.

* The Seahawks went 7-for-11 (.636) from beyond the arc at Penn (11/22) and have now converted 24-of-52 (46.2 percent) from beyond the arc over the last three games after making good on just 11-of-32 (.344) in the first two.  Additionally, the Quakers entered the game shooting 37.7 percent from long range but went just 2-for-13 (.154) against the Green & White defense. On the year, Wagner leads the NEC in three-point shooting (.417).

* The Seahawks are 3-0 on the year when scoring at least 70 points.

* Led by senior Chris Martin and junior Josh Thompson, the Green & White bench outscored Penn's (11/22) 25-8 and was 8-for-17 from the floor and 7-for-8 from the line.

* Martin had a season-high 11 points - highlighted by his tiebreaking three pointer with 3:42 to play - and had one of the three Wagner three-point plays on the night.

* After serving as a starter in each of the last two years, Martin has settled nicely into his role of the bench, averaging 7.6 points per game in an average of 23 mpg.

* The win at Penn (11/22) was the second-straight for the Seahawks against the Ivy League after recently snapping a five-game losing streak against the Ancient Eight in the season-opener at Princeton (11/12). It is also just the second time in school history that Wagner has won two road games in a season against the Ivy League.

* Wagner was a perfect 7-for-7 from the line against the Quakers (11/22) over the final 2:15 and is 24-for-28 (.857) in games decided by under 10 points this years.

* The Seahawks have now forced 99 miscues (19.8/game) while turning the ball over just 68 times (13.6/game) in their first five games.

* Sophomore Latif Rivers (18 points) and senior Tyler Murray (14 points) each notched double-figures against Penn (11/22) and are the only Seahawks to do so in all five games this year with Rivers leading the way three times and is averaging a team-best 14.8 points per game. The duo is combining for an average of 29 points each time out while shooting 46.0 percent (46-100) from the field, 48.8 percent (21-43) from beyond the arc and 82.1 percent (32-39) from the line.

* Murray has also hit for double-figures in 25-straight games since last season and 40 times in 42 games dating back to his sophomore year. Murray's 14 point effort also gives him 915 for his career, leaving the Canadian native just 85 short of becoming the 38th 1,000 point scorer in school-history and the 23rd since Wagner went Division I in the 1976-1977 season. Murray notched just 64 as a freshman and is the fourth leading scorer among active NEC players. He is averaging 14.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.

* The Canadian native also ranks second among all active NEC players with 236 assists and 10th with 300 rebounds. Additionally, Murray has 10 career 20-point games. During that time, the Seahawks are 7-3.

* In all five games a Wagner opponent has led the way in scoring. Despite this the Seahawks are 4-1.

* The Seahawks are ranked fourth in the Big Apple Buckets 'New York City Poll.

* Junior Jonathon Williams (28 points) and Murray (20 points) each notched 20 points in the 87-83 win over North Carolina Central (11/16). That is the third time in the Hurley era that the Seahawks have had two players each go for 20-plus points. The Green & White are undefeated in those three games.

* Wagner had five student-athletes in double-figures for the first time this year against NCCU (11/16) and the fifth time in Hurley's tenure on Grymes Hill.

* Sophomore Kenneth Ortiz notched his first career double-double with 11 points and a game-high 11 points to go along with game-bests in assists (6) and steals (3) in the win over NCCU (11/16).

* A win would even head coach Dan Hurley's career record at 18-18.

SETTING THE SCENE
Wagner returns to action today against Delaware State at 4:00 pm in the Spiro Sports Center looking to improve to 5-1 for the first time since the 2005-2006 season.

WHAT A START
Today's game marks the end of a grueling 6-game, 15-day season-opening stretch that has seen the Seahawks travel to three different states and play four-of-six away from the Spiro Sports Center. Following a one-week break for conference play, the Green & White will play its final five non-conference games in a comfortable 25-day window.

LISTEN LIVE
Wagner will again stream its home games through Sidearm Sports for a nominal fee. Check thb basketball schedule/results page under the live audio column starting at 3:50 pm for tonight's game.

TWITTER
For fans wishing to follow and comment on today's action they can use the hash tag #WagDSU

COACH DAN HURLEY
Hurley is 17-18 in this his second year. Hurley initiated an eight-win improvement last year, marking the best regular season turnaround in America for a first-year coach while also matching Steve Lavin of St. John's for the best conference-win improvement (+6) by a rookie coach.

LATE GAME HEROICS
Wagner converted seven-straight free throws over the final 2:15 of its six-point win at Penn (11/22), 9-of-10 in a six-point victory at Lafayette (11/19) and was six-of-seven from the line in the last five minutes of an 87-83 win over NCCU (11/16) - including converting four-straight with under 30 seconds to play. For the year, the Seahawks are converting 85.7 percent (24-28) over the final five minutes of games decided by 10 points or less. Last year, the Seahawks made good on 78.2 (154-197) in the game's last five minutes of 10-point games with Rivers leading the way at 88.2 percent (45-51) and Murray converting 86.3 percent (44-51).

LEADING THE WAY
The Green & White lead the NEC in three-point shooting (.417) while recording a league-best 6.2 turnover margin. Additionally, Wagner is also second in scoring offense (74.6 ppg) and assist-to-turnover ratio (0.9).

LEADING DELAWARE STATE
Delaware State head coach Greg Jackson is 169-170 in this his 12th year with Delaware State. The former North Carolina Central coach is 2-0, all-time, against Wagner.

LONGEVITY
Coach Jackson and all three of his assistants have been with the Hornets for 12 years.

SCOUTING DELAWARE STATE
The Hornets are 2-2 and are led by freshman Tahj Tate (21.0 ppg) and junior Marques Oliver (10.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg). Additionally, four of the seven players in the Delaware State rotation are rookies.

THREE-POINT SHOOTING COMES ALIVE
After converting on just 11-of-32 (.344) from beyond the arc over the first two games, the Seahawks have made good on 24-of-52 (.462) in its three-game winning streak. Last year, the Green & White went 0-6 when failing to hit at least three triples pointers in a game.

THREE-POINT DEFENSE STEPS UP
After allowing the opposition to hit on 43.8 percent from long range over the first four games, Wagner locked in and limited Penn (11/22) to just 2-of-13 (.154) from beyond the arc.

LAST FIVE MINUTES
In the last five minutes of games this season, the Seahawks are converting 32-of-42 (.762) from the line after making good on just 52-of-77 (.675) in the first 35 minutes.

TALE OF TWO HALVES
Wagner is forcing the opposition into just 27.0 percent (10-37) shooting from beyond the arc in the first half of its five games. However, after halftime that number jumps up to 50.0 percent (20-40).

DOUBLE TROUBLE
Rivers (14.8 ppg) and Murray (14.2 ppg) are again the top-two scorers for the Seahawks and have each hit for double-figures in the first five games.

KEY MATCH-UP FOR WAGNER
REBOUNDING ... The Green & White been outrebounded by four of its five opponents, corralling an average of just 30.2 rebounds per game. Delaware State, like Wagner, is struggling on the glass, grabbing an average of just 28.0 caroms per game.

KEY MATCH-UP FOR DELAWARE STATE
GUARD THE THREE ... The Seahawks are on a roll having hit on 46.2 percent (24-52) from beyond the arc over its last three games and has four guards that are capable of connecting from long range.

20/20
The Green & White forced Princeton (11/12) into 28 turnovers in the season-opener, which are the most miscues caused by Wagner since December 4, 2001 when Iona turned it over 28 times. In the win over Lafayette (11/19), the Leopards turned it over 20 times. Last season, the most turnovers committed by Princeton was 27 at Duke while the most by Lafayette was 19.

LIVE IN YOUR LIVING ROOM
Time Warner Cable has announced the addition of four more games to its previously-announced five-game home slate, bringing the total of Seahawks' televised home games to 11, meaning that just two home contests will not be on TV.  Included in the package will be the Green & White's first-ever ESPN home regular season telecast against Long Island on Saturday, January 21 at 7:00 pm on ESPNU. The next game to appear on TV will be tonight's game. All told 15 of the 29 Wagner contests will be on television. The full television schedule appears on the front page of the game notes and on the schedule/results page on the website.

SEAHAWKS BIG FOUR
There is no question that the Seahawks are led by its Big 4 of Rivers (14.8 ppg, 2.6 apg), Murray (14.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg), Williams (10.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg) and Ortiz (8.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.8 apg) as the foursome is averaging 48 of the Green & White's 74.6 points per game.

ORTIZ MAKING WAVES ON STATEN ISLAND
Ortiz is making his presence felt on Grymes Hill in his first season at Wagner after sitting out last year. The 6-0 point guard is leading the team with 5.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists and a NEC-best 2.4 steals per game while averaging 8.2 points each time out. In the 87-83 win over NCCU (11/16), he recorded his first career double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds to go along with six assists.

THOMPSON TAKES FLIGHT
For the second-straight year, Thompson has been a viable force off the bench, averaging 7.6 points and 2.8 rebounds per game while converting on 65.0 percent (13-20) from the floor in an average of just 16.4 minutes per game. He started with a bang at Princeton (11/12), recording 14 points and nine rebounds and has been consistent ever since. In the win at Lafayette (11/19), Thompson notched seven points before recording eight in the victory at Penn (11/22).

BENCH LIGHTS IT UP
The Wagner bench is averaging 20.2 points per game while shooting 41.7 percent from the floor, including 32.1 percent from long range and 73.3 percent from the line. Last year the reserves recorded just 16.2 points per game.

RIVERS TURNING IT UP A NOTCH
Rivers has matured into a more consistent player following an outstanding rookie season. He put that on display over Wagner's current three-game winning streak. During that time, Rivers is averaging 17.0 points per game while shooting 50.0 percent (16-32) from the floor, 38.5 percent (5-13) from long range and 82.4 percent (14-17) from the line.

MURRAY DIALS IN FROM DEEP
Murray is quietly making a name for himself as one of the top three-point shooters in the nation, converting on 61.9 percent (13-21) from deep while recording at least two in all five games (2.6/game) and is making good on a 42.1 percent for his career. That figures is the tops in school history. Murray is also hitting on 52.2 percent from the field and while averaging 14.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.

JWIL LOOKING FOR CONSISTENCY
Williams notched a Seahawk season-high 28 points on 11-of-15 shooting, including going 3-of-5 from long range, in the four-point win over North Carolina Central (11/16). However, in the other four games the Golden State native has scored just 26 points, while shooting 11-of-28 from the floor and 2-of-7 from beyond the arc. 

NON-CONFERENCE 11-12 / NON-CONFERENCE 10-11
Wagner is 4-1 in non-conference play this year after going 4-7 against non-NEC teams in 2010-2011. The reason? This year, the Seahawks are averaging 74.6 ppg, up from 62.5 last year during non-league play.

AND 1
Wagner had three old-fashioned three-point plays in its 71-65 win over Penn (11/22) after notching just four over the first four games of the year.

STREAK SNAPPED
The season-opening victory at Princeton (11/12) snapped the Tigers' 16-game home winning streak dating back to the 2009-2010 season and was the first by a Seahawk team against the Ivy League, since the Green & White defeated Brown 78-66 on December 21, 2008, ending a five-game losing streak against the Ancient 8. Junior Josh Thompson, who became a viral sensation on YouTube after dunking over his mother in Wagner's Madness Before Midnight event, gave the team a lift off the bench with 14 points and a game-high nine rebounds in 27 minutes.

SEAHAWK UPRISING
Wagner used a 26-6 run - including notching 16-straight at one point - to break open what was a tie game against Princeton (11/12). All told, during the game-changing push the Tigers missed eight shots while turning the ball over four times and going 8:57 without a point and 9:47 without a field goal.

GRAND LARCENY
The Seahawks notched 14 steals in the win at Princeton (11/12), which is the team's highest total since accruing 15 at NJIT (12/28/09). However, in the four games since the Green & White are averaging 5.0 steals per game.

MARTIN KNOCKING ON THE DOOR
Martin has 855 career points, which is the eighth-most of any current NEC Player. He also has the eighth-most assists (168) of any current NEC player.

NON-CONFERENCE NOTES
For the second-straight year, Hurley has put together a tough non-conference slate. Last year after defeating Lafayette 63-58 in the opener, Wagner took to the road for seven-straight - six of which were of the non-league variety. This year, while the quantity of road games isn't as high, the competition level is on par if not better. The Seahawks take on six teams that played in the postseason, including five that won at least 20 games. The Green & White defeated defending Ivy Champion Princeton (11/12) 73-57 in the opener before dropping a 12-point decision to defending National Champion #4 UConn (11/14). The Green & White rebounded with an 87-83 win over NCCU (11/16), a 76-70 victory at Lafayette (11/19) and a 71-65 win at Penn (11/22). Today, Wagner caps a brutal six-game, two week stretch with a home contest against Delaware State (11/26). After a pair of NEC games, the Seahawks host Hofstra (12/6), which reached the CAA Title Game a year ago, and Lehigh (12/10). The Green & White then travel to defending BIG EAST Regular Season Champion Pitt (12/23) before playing in the Cable Car Classic (12/29-12/30), which will be hosted by defending CIT Champion Santa Clara. One team from 31 of the 44 Cable Car Classics has advanced to the NCAA Tournament?

CLOSE GAMES = THE HURLEY WAY
A year ago, the Seahawks stout free throw shooting and clutch play helped the Seahawks to 10-9 record in games decided by six points or less, including 7-5 during NEC play.  This year, the Seahawks are 3-0 games decided by six points or less.

UP NEXT
Wagner opens up conference play at defending NEC Champion Long Island on Thursday, December 1 at 7:00 pm.