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Hamden, CT - Wagner (16-4; 7-2 NEC) wraps up its mini two-game road trip when the Seahawks play at Quinnipiac (11-9; 4-5 NEC) today at 2:00 pm. The teams will square at the state-of-the-art TD Banknorth Sports Center in their only regular season match-up of the season. The Green & White coaching and support staff during the game as part of the annual
Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers weekend. By wearing sneakers, the coaches hope to draw attention to the role a healthy diet and regular physical activity play in reducing cancer risk. Fans may donate by texting COACH to 20222 from any wireless phone to make a $5 donation toward Coaches vs. Cancer. For more information click
HERE
QUICK HITS
* Wagner (16-4; 7-2 NEC) concludes its two-game roadtrip to the Nutmeg State with a 2:00 pm matinee at Quinnipiac (11-9; 4-5 NEC).
* The Seahawks lead the nation with nine true road victories and are an impressive 10-2 away from the Spiro Sports Center.
* The Green & White's seven-game road winning streak (6 road, 1 neutral) is its best since posting eight-straight victories away from home during the 1978-1979 season.
* Wagner held Sacred Heart (1/26), which entered the game as the NEC's top three-point team, to just 3-of-20 shooting while converting a season-best 11 triples (out of 20).
* Fueling the Seahawks' long-range performance was senior
Tyler Murray, who drilled a career-best seven on just nine attempts en route to a season-best 21 points.
* With his outing, Murray now ranks second in the Division I ranks in three-point shooting at 52.6 percent (51-97).
* Additionally, he has gone over 20 points on 11 occasions in his career while recording double-figures in 53 of his last 57 games.
*The Canadian native has converted a school-record 43.9 percent (166-378) from long range over his four years en route to 1,103 career points.
* Murray has been red-hot over the last five games, draining 19-of-30 (.633) from deep.
* Over his last five games in the state of Connecticut, Murray is averaging 20.4 points and 6.0 rebounds per game while shooting 54.2 percent (32-59) from the floor, 62.5 percent (20-32) from long range and 81.8 percent (18-22) from the line. Additionally, he has four of his 11 20-point games in the Nutmeg State.
* Against Sacred Heart (1/26), Wagner forced double-digits in turnovers in the first half for the ninth time this year while limiting the Pioneers to a season-low 54 points.
* The Seahawks have now recorded at least 10 turnovers in the first half on nine occasions while posting a season-best nine first-half steals.
* The Green & White did not trail after halftime for the 12th time this season and are an eye-popping 16-1 when leading with five minutes to play.
* Freshman
Mario Moody narrowly missed his third double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds at Sacred Heart (1/26). His nine caroms also mark the third time that the Garden State native has paced the squad on the glass.
* The last two times out, Moody is averaging 12.0 points and 9.5 rebounds per game while shooting 50.0 percent (7-14) from the floor and 90.9 percent (10-11) the line.
* Moody has a combined 40 points (13.3 ppg) and 33 rebounds (11.0 rpg) over 62 minutes (20.7 mpg) over three games against Bryant (1/12), LIU Brooklyn (1/21) and at Sacred Heart (1/26). In his other nine games, Moody has just nine points (1.0 ppg) and 12 rebounds (1.3 rpg) over 42 minutes (4.7 mpg).
* Also scoring in double-figures against the Pioneers was junior
Jonathon Williams (14) and sophomore
Latif Rivers (10).
* At Sacred Heart (1/26), senior
Chris Martin did not dress due to injury and will miss the Quinnipiac (1/28) game while freshman
Hugo Naurais returned after missing the previous 13 games due to a foot injury.
* Wagner has now won six of its seven NEC games by at least 12 points while winning by an average of 18.7 points per game.
* After halftime during their nine NEC games, the Seahawks have forced the opposition into just 17.6 percent (12-68) shooting on three-point attempts, compared to 42.6 percent (26-64) in the first half.
* The Green & White are ranked 24th in the most recent
Mid-Majority Mid-Major Top-25 and have resided in the poll in each of the last five weeks.
* In the most recent RPI rankings released by the NCAA on Monday, January 23, Wagner checked in at a NEC-best 92.
* The Seahawks drew a school-record 2,412 in its game against LIU Brooklyn (1/21) that was broadcast live on
ESPNU before a school-record crowd of 2,412, topping the previous high of 2,327, which was recorded on March 12, 2003 in the school's NEC Championship Game victory over St. Francis (NY). The Green & White also wore their alternate color grey uniforms for the first time against the Blackbirds.
* Wagner's 73-61 victory over St. Francis (NY) (1/19) was its eighth-straight, giving the Seahawks their longest winning streak since ripping off 16-straight under P.J. Carlesimo in the 1978-1979 season. Additionally, the Seahawks' current 16-4 start is their best since 1955-1956 (20-2 start) and the NEC's best since CCSU began 1999-2000 with a 19-2 mark.
* The Seahawks swept the season-series from the Terriers) for the first time since the 2004-2005 season, while marking just the program's third series sweep against a NEC opponent since the 2008-2009 season.
* Wagner has 16 wins while topping last year's total of 13 and with two more would match the school's win total of the two previous years combined. Its nine road victories supersede the total of seven accrued over the last two years.
* The Seahawks are 7-3 in games decided by 10 points or less and are 5-0 in games decided by 16 points or more
* Despite losing the turnover battle in the win at Monmouth (1/7) for the first time in 11 games, the Green & White still leads the NEC and rank 12th in the nation with a +4.3 turnover margin. #1 Syracuse paces the nation with a + 7.0 turnover margin. All told, Wagner has won the turnover battle in 16-of-20 this year.
* Besides leading the NEC in turnover margin, the Seahawks also lead the league in scoring margin (+9.7) (45th NCAA), fewest turnovers (12.8) (76th NCAA), field goal percentage defense (.407) (79th), blocked shots (4.3) (76th NCAA), three point percentage (.372) (57th NCAA) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.02) (115th NCAA). The Green & White are also second in the league in scoring offense (73.9 ppg) (67th NCAA) and scoring defense (64.2 ppg), (105th NCAA).
* Wagner is 13-0 when limiting the opposition to under 70 points and 12-1 when scoring at least 70.
* The Seahawks will now attempt to win its third-straight game against NEC teams from Connecticut at Quinnipiac (1/28), after previously besting Sacred Heart (1/26) and CCSU (1/14).
* A year ago, Wagner swept the season series from the Bobcats thanks to shooting 50.5 percent (46-91) from the floor, including a scorching 53.8 percent (21-39) from long range as Rivers (21.0 ppg) and Murray (20.5 ppg) each averaged double-digits. Murray notched a career-best 28 points with eight rebounds in the first meeting in Hamden before Rivers capped the sweep with a career-high 30 in the rematch in Staten Island. The duo combined to convert on 52.6 percent (20-38) from the floor, 65.0 percent (13-20) from deep and 90.1 percent (30-33) from the line.
* For Quinnipiac, just four players have played against Seahawks, highlighted by senior James Johnson, who scored 24 points in the first match-up and 15 in the second.
* Wagner has won three of the teams' four match-ups at the Bobcats' state-of-the-art TD Banknorth Sports Center.
* Rivers leads the Seahawks in scoring (14.8 ppg) (12th NEC) while Williams is next up at 13.5 points per game (15th NEC), including a team-best 15.1 ppg during NEC-play.
* Murray rounds out the double-figure scorers for the Green & White at 13.0 points per game (16th NEC). Sophomore
Kenneth Ortiz leads the team in rebounding (4.8) (18th NEC) and assists (4.0) (t-6th NEC) while pacing the entire conference with 2.1 steals per game.
SETTING THE SCENE
Wagner (16-4; 7-2 NEC) will look for its second-straight win at Quinnipiac (11-9; 4-5 NEC) today at 2:00 pm at the TD Banknorth Sports Center in the teams' long match-up of the regular season.
WITH A WIN ...
The Seahawks would defeat the Bobcats for the third-straight time while picking up their eighth-straight victory away from Grymes Hill.
JANUARY
Also with a win today, the Green & White would finish the month with an impressive 7-1 record while winning seven games in the month for just the fourth time since moving to Division I in the 1976-1977 season.
WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN
The final five Wagner home games and seven of the last nine will begin at 7:00 pm. On the year, the Seahawks are 10-1 in 7:00 pm tips.
BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG PERFORMANCES
Wagner is an impressive 8-2 in television games this year - including having won seven in a row at one point - and will play on TV in each of its final five home games - highlighted by a game on MSG against Robert Morris (2/2) in the teams' only match-up of the regular season.
LUCKY NUMBER 70
The Seahawks are a perfect 13-0 when holding the opposition to under 70 points and 12-1 when scoring at least 70 points.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Wagner has posted a sparkling 10-2 record on the road, one season after going just 5-12 away from the friendly confines of the Spiro Sports Center. The nine true road wins are tied for the most in the nation.
16-4
The 16-4 start is the best by a Seahawk team since the 1955-1956 season when the Green & White began 20-2 en route to a 20-3 record.
TIGHT RACE
Wagner is currently in a three-way tie for second place at 7-2 in the NEC with Robert Morris and St. Francis (NY) and just one game behind LIU Brooklyn (8-1 NEC).
SCOUTING QUINNIPIAC
Quinnipiac enters with an 11-9 record (4-5 NEC) and has been among the conference's best osince Tom Moore took over five years ago. The Bobcats are led by a relentless frontcourt that is second nationally with a +10.5 rebounding margin. Sophomore Ike Azotam personifies the Bobcat attack and is averaging 16.4 points and a team-best 9.6 rebounds per game. Senior James Johnson runs the offense and is averaging a team-leading 17.5 points per game while also handing out 3.5 assists per game.
NUTMEG STATE OF MIND
Wagner is 5-2 against NEC teams from the state of Connecticut since head coach
Dan Hurley took over last season.
COACHES VS. CANCER
College basketball coaches and staff members will wear sneakers while coaching games this weekend as part of the annual
Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers weekend. By wearing sneakers, the coaches hope to draw attention to the role a healthy diet and regular physical activity play in reducing cancer risk. Fans may donate by texting COACH to 20222 from any wireless phone to make a $5 donation toward Coaches vs. Cancer.
FOLAHAN ASCENDS THE CAREER BLOCKS RANKINGS
Sophomore
Naofall Folahan, who leads the NEC and ranks 43rd nationally with 2.1 blocks per game, recently cracked the Seahawks' top-10 list for blocked shots. After notching two swats at Sacred Heart (1/26), the Republic of Benin native has 87, ranking seventh in school history. Folahan, who is also averaging 4.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, and is seven off
Nigel Wyatte (94) for sixth place.
KEY MATCH-UP
Wagner's Defense vs. Quinnipiac's Offense; The Bobcats have proven they can put points on the board thanks to its play around the basket, as the Nutmeg State institution has generated a NEC-best 43.8 rebounds per game. Quinnipiac averages 71.7 points per game but are shooting just 41.4 percent (8th NEC) from the floor and 30.8 percent (10th NEC) from long range. The Seahawks have the top-ranked defense in the NEC at 40.7 percent while limiting the opposition to just 32.8 percent shooting (3rd NEC) from long range.
CLOSING IT OUT
The Green & White are 16-1 when leading with five minutes to play thanks to shooting an impressive 81.8 percent (45-55) from the line in the final minute this season.
CLOSING IT OUT PART 2
Wagner is 7-3 in games decided by 10 points or less while shooting 77.3 percent (58-75) from the line over the last five minutes of those games.
FIRST TIME
Despite holding the Northeast Conference's best overall record, the Seahawks hadn't won a
Choice Hotels Player of the Week citation until Rivers averaged 18.7 points per game while pacing the team in scoring in victories over #15 Pitt (12/23), Air Force (12/29) and Santa Clara (12/30). The reason? Balance. The Green & White routinely go 10-deep and have three players - Rivers (14.8) (12th NEC), Williams (13.5) (15th NEC) and Murray (13.0) (16th NEC) - averaging double-figures in scoring.
MOODY NOTCHES SECOND DOUBLE-DOUBLE
Moody was a force in the second half against LIU Brooklyn (1/21), recording 10 points and six rebounds en route to game totals of 12 and 10 for his second double-double, after previously notching 16 markers and 11 caroms in the win over Bryant (1/12). After missing the start of the year due to an injury, Moody is averaging 4.1 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.
DURING NEC PLAY
Wagner is outscoring the opposition by an average of 13.2 points per game while posting six double-digit wins on the way to a 7-2 record. Additionally the Seahawks are shooting 45.2 percent from the floor, including 37.4 percent from beyond the arc, while limiting opposing teams to just 40.1 percent shooting, including 28.8 percent from long range.
STAT COMPARISON
Wagner: Scoring Offense (73.8 ppg) / Scoring Defense (64.2 ppg) / FG% (.439) / FG%D (.407)
QU: Scoring Offense (71.7 ppg) / Scoring Defense (70.0 ppg) / FG% (.414) / FG%D (.420)
COACH DAN HURLEY
Head coach
Dan Hurley is 29-21 in this his second year. Last year, Hurley initiated an eight-win improvement 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.
TWITTER
Fans wishing to follow and comment on this weekend's action they can use the hash tag
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DON'T FORGET TO STRETCH
The Green & White will broadcast tonight's game through RedZoneMedia for free. Check the MBB schedule/results page on the Wagner Athletics website beginning at 1:50 pm (EST).
ALL-TIME VS. QUINNIPIAC
Wagner is 15-12, all-time, vs. Quinnipiac, but is 13-5 over the last 10 years. Additionally, the Seahawks are 6-6 in Hamden against the Bobcats since they joined the NEC for the 1998-1999 season.
SECOND-HALF SUCCESS
Since early December, the Green & White have opened the second half with some impressive scoring runs:
St. Francis (NY) (12/3) - 22-4 ~ Hofstra (12/6) - 6-0 ~ Lehigh (12/10) - 8-2 ~ #15 Pitt (12/23) - 15 -8 ~
Air Force (12/29) - 13-4 ~ Santa Clara (12/30) - 9-0 ~ Monmouth (1/7) - 9-0 ~ SFNY (1/19) - 20-7 - SHU (1/21) - 14-7
MILESTONE WATCH
Murray (1,103 points) is just 14 points behind
Harry Orlando (1,117 points) for 28th on the all-time Green & White scoring list. Murray is also two triples behind
Matt Vitale (168) for eighth all-time.
DOUBLE-DOWN
Murray has recorded double-figures a team-best 18 times this year and in 53-of-57 games since the end of his sophomore year. Rivers, meanwhile, has notched double-figures 16 times this year and 37 times in 50 career games. Murray (11) and Rivers (9) have also hit for at least 20 points a combined 20 times.
ORTIZ MAKING WAVES ON THE ISLAND
In his first season on Staten Island, Ortiz has filled up the stat sheets, averaging 7.8 points per game while leading Wagner in rebounding (4.8) (18th NEC), assists (4.0) (t-6th NEC) and steals (2.1) (1st NEC) while pacing a defense that has posted a NEC-leading +4.4 turnover margin. In the 59-54 win over Pitt (12/23), he put his talent on display with 12 points and a game and career-high seven assists over 35 minutes while converting 6-of-9 from the floor. At the Cable Car Classic, Ortiz averaged 9.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game in winning the Most Inspirational Award, before capping the event with his game-winning shot at Santa Clara (12/30), which has been watched by more than 1.3 million people on YouTube.
UP NEXT
Wagner hosts Robert Morris on Thursday, February 2 at 7:00 pm in a game that will be televised regionally by
MSG.
