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Highlights / Kenneth Ortiz Postgame Interview / Postgame Press Conference

Staten Island, NY - No. 2 Wagner used a 18-4 run that bridged the two halves while breaking open what was a close game en route to a convincing 87-77 victory over No. 7 Central Connecticut State in Northeast Conference (NEC) Quarterfinal action at the Spiro Sports Center before a lively crowd of 1,708. The Seahawks improve to 25-5 and will host #3 Robert Morris in the semifinals before a MSG-televised audience on Sunday, March 4 at 12:00 pm while the Blue Devils see their season end with a record of 13-16.

Tickets for Sunday's game are $10 for adults and $5 for students with a valid id. The school's ticket office can be reached by calling (718) 420-4039 and will be open on Friday (10:00 am-5:00 pm), Saturday (10:00 am-4:00 pm) and Sunday (9:00 am through the game).

Wagner used a balanced attack, placing five in double-figures for the third time in five games and the fifth time on the season. NEC Defensive Player of the Year Kenneth Ortiz (Newark, NJ / Science Park / Southern Mississippi) led the way with 16 points, six assists and five rebounds. His outstanding play at the point helped spark an offensive unit that shot an even 50.0 percent (30-60) for the game.

Not to be overlooked was the defense, which after allowing CCSU to convert six of its first nine shots put the clamps on the Blue Devils to the tune of 32.0 percent (16-50) the rest of the way, including a paltry 27.3 percent (6-22) to end the first half.

With CCSU holding a 13-11 lead following a Terrell Allen dunk at the 15:09 mark of the first half, the Seahawks made their move while ripping off 11-straight points. Junior Jonathon Williams (Richmond, CA / Kennedy / CC of San Francisco) converted a layup before Ortiz, freshman Mario Moody (East Orange, NJ / East Orange Campus) and Chris Martin (Sicklerville, NJ / Apex Academies) followed suit with layups of their own. Sophomore Latif Rivers (Elizabeth, NJ / Avon Old Farms (CT)) capped the spurt with a three pointer that extended the lead out to 22-13 with 10:50 remaining in the first.

The Blue Devils would continue to fight, cutting the deficit to four at 34-30 with 2:39 until halftime following a Horton free throw. Rivers immediately answered with a jumper, starting a 6-0 spurt that pushed the advantage out to a half-high 10  before Wagner went into the break with a 40-32 lead.  

The intermission did nothing to quell the Seahawk momentum as the Green & White exploded out of the gates with eight-straight points, making it 48-32 with 17:18 to play. Robby Ptacek briefly answered with a pair of free throws before Ortiz hit a pair from the line and senior Tyler Murray (Toronto, Ontario / Eastern Commerce) converted a fastbreak layup, extending the lead out to 52-34 with 16:05 remaining.

Wagner jumped out to its commanding lead thanks to ripping off an 18-4 run that spanned the final 2:07 of the first half and the first 3:55 of the second. During that time, CCSU was held to just 1-of-7 shooting from the floor and was forced into five turnovers that to 10 points as the Seahawks capitalized on every Blue Devils miscue during the spurt. 

The lead would grow to a game-high 20 on two occasions, the final time coming at the 6:48 mark, following a pair of Orlando Parker (So., Orlando, FL / Orlando Christian Prep) free throws to make it 78-58.

The visitors would not go away quietly, ripping off a 19-4 run in just over five minutes while cutting what was a 20-point lead to just five at 82-77 with 1:17 remaining.

However, that would be as close as CCSU would get as Murray drained a pair from the line before converting a layup, following his block of First Team All-NEC selection Ken Horton's three-point attempt. Martin would provide the final 87-77 tally with a free throw as Wagner improved to a impressive 10-3 in games decided by 10 points or less.

Joining Ortiz in double-figures was Murray (15), Rivers (15), Williams (10) and Moody (10). Murray also eclipsed the 1,200-point plateau and now has 1,201 for his career.

For the Blue Devils, Horton led all players with 25 points and nine rebounds while capping his stellar career with a school-record 1,966 markers. NEC Rookie of the Year Kyle Vinales added 16 points, but was just 5-of-17 from the floor, while Robby Ptacek contributed 10 points and five boards.

The other NEC semifinal game pits No. 1 LIU Brooklyn (23-8) against No. 5 Quinnipiac (18-12) at 6:00 pm in a match-up that will also air on MSG.