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Staten Island, NY - Winners of eight in a row, No. 2 Wagner (18-11) will be looking for its third-straight NEC Quarterfinal victory over No. 7 Central Connecticut (11-18) on Wednesday, March 5 at 7:00 pm. As always, Joey Wahler will have the call beginning at 6:50 pm through NEC Front Row.

Top Storylines
#1 - No. 2 Wagner hosts No. 7 CCSU in the NEC Quarterfinals for the third-straight season.

#2 - The teams split two regular season match-ups with the road team winning each game.

#3 - Senior Kenneth Ortiz became the first-ever 3x NEC Defensive Player of the Year on Tuesday. He along with classmate Latif Rivers also earned All-NEC Third Team accolades.

Quick Hits
* Winners of eight in a row, Wagner (18-11) will be looking for its third-straight NEC Quarterfinal victory over Central Connecticut (11-18) on Wednesday, March 5 at 7:00 pm.

* The Seahawks' eight-game skeen is the longest by a NEC team this season and with one more win, would match the 2011-2012 team for the third longest streak in the D-1 era (1976-1977).

* Wagner is the No. 2 seed for the third straight season and the fourth time in the last seven years.

* All four years, the Seahawks lost to the No. 3 seed in the semifinals.

* Wagner is 17-25, all-time, in 26 previous trips to the NEC Tournament and won its lone league title in 2003 after entering as the top seed.

* The Seahawks are 5-5 in five previous tournaments as the No. 2 seed, reaching the finals once, the semifinals three times and losing in the quarterfinals once.

* With a title this year Wagner would be the sixth different league institution to capture the league crown at the No. 2 seed.

* All-time, the Seahawks are 12-12 in quarterfinal action and 10-8 when playing on Staten Island, including posting a 6-6 record in the renovated Spiro Sports Center which opened in February of 1999.

* No. 2 seeds hold an all-time record of 51-24 and have won eight titles with the last coming in 2010 when Robert Morris knocked off top-seeded Quinnipiac.

* Additionally, No. 2 seeds are 27-5 in quarterfinal action and have captured nine-straight games by an average of 16.2 points per game with each contest being decided by eight points or more.

* RMU (No. 1) and Wagner (No. 2) earned the top two seeds in the upcoming NEC Tournament for the second-straight year and third time in seven years.

* In the two previous games with the Blue Devils, the Seahawks shot 45.8 percent (66-for-144) from the floor, including a blistering 42.1 percent (16-for-38) from deep.

* Junior Marcus Burton paced the Green & White in scoring in each game, averaging 17.0 points per game while shooting 54.5 percent from the floor and 50.0 percent from long range.

* Wagner capped the regular season with its eighth straight win, a 59-48 victory over Robert Morris, while becoming along with Kentucky just the second team to hold the NEC Regular Season Champions to less than 50 points this season.

* During the eight-game run, the Seahawks have limited all eight opponents to less than 70 points and is now 16-0 when hitting the defensive standard. Additionally, teams are shooting a combined 35.1 percent (164-for-467) from the field, including 23.4 percent (39-for-167) from long range.

* Prior to the game the senior class of Naofall Folahan, Kenneth Ortiz, Orlando Parker and Latif Rivers were honored in the annual Senior Day festivities. The foursome has notched 75 wins over the last four years and 62 over the previous three, both of which are school-record totals. Additionally, the quartet is 48-22 during NEC play.

* Ortiz celebrated Senior Day by becoming the 41st member of the Wagner 1,000-point club with his team-best 18 markers while Folahan blocked five shots and now has 81 for the season while breaking Miladin Mutavdzic's previous 22-year record of 79 in the process. The Republic of Benin native ranks 26th in the nation with a NEC-leading 2.8 blocks per game is now just two rejections short of matching former Indiana Pacer Rik Smits' for the 10th best single-season performance in NEC history.

* The 6-11 pivot, who notched his sixth five-block game of the season against RMU, broke Frantz Pierre-Louis' 14-year school-record for blocks earlier this season at CCSU and has 222 career blocks, which rank fifth in NEC history.

* Thanks in large part to Folahan, Wagner ranks sixth in the nation with 6.4 blocks per game and has notched a school-record 186 blocks. The Seahawks are just 17 rejections short of FDU's NEC record of 203 set in 2006.

* Parker, along with Folahan, also helped the anchor the front line on Saturday and pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds as Wagner improved to 10-1 this season when the Sunshine State native paces the squad on the glass. Parker ranks fifth in the NEC in rebounding (6.6 rpg) and has four double-digit rebounding games, including a career-high 14 at Sacred Heart.

* Parker also recorded his third career double-double and the first since his rookie season with a career-high matching 16 points and 10 rebounds in the rematch with SHU and is averaging 7.9 points and 7.9 rebounds each time out since rejoining the starting line-up 12 games ago.

* Ortiz, who now has a combined 1,033 markers in his four years (30-USM|1003-Wagner) of collegiate play is averaging a team-best 15.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.5 steals per game during Wagner's current eight-game winning streak.

* The three-time NEC Defensive Player of the Year ranks among the league leaders in scoring (13.2-13th), assists (4.3-6th), steals (1.9-2nd) (44th NCAA) and free throw percentage (.726-14th) while posting a 1.45 assist/turnover ratio (11th NEC). Over his four collegiate seasons, he has 1,033 points, 447 assists, 430 rebounds and 181 steals.

* The Green & White grabbed control of the RMU game with 21 straight points that bridged the end of the first and the beginning of the second half, including a 17-0 half-ending spurt in which RMU missed 12 straight shots. For the game, Robert Morris was limited to season-lows in points (48) and three-point field goal percentage (.222).

* Highlighting the run was Burton, who notched four-straight three pointers at the tail end of the first half. The North Carolina native notched double-figures for the 14th time this season and is the lone league player to average double-figures (10.9 ppg-23rd) this season despite not starting a game.

* Over his last six games, Burton is averaging 13.0 points per game while shooting 48.1 percent (25-of-52) from the floor and 45.2 percent (14-of-31) from deep.

* Burton has also been clutch throughout the season and hit two huge three pointers in helping the Green & White rally from a seven-point deficit with less than four minutes to play at FDU. He is averaging a team-best 2.9 points each time out over the last five minutes of NEC games while making good on 45.5 percent (5-of-11) from long range and 87.0 percent (20-of-23) from the free throw line.

* Due to Burton's proficiency at the line in late-game situations, Wagner has converted on 79.8 percent (87-of-109) from the charity stripe in the final five minutes of games during NEC play.

* Led by Burton, the Seahawk reserves outscored their counterparts by 12.1 points each time out during league play. Additionally, the Wagner bench is shot 40.3 percent (50-of-124) from long range, compared to just 26.2 percent (22-of-84) for the opposition.

* Rivers enters the CCSU game just three points short of becoming the 13th Green & White player to hit for 1,497 career points and the third active NEC player.

* The Garden State native continues to rank among the league leaders scoring (13.7 ppg-9th), assists/game (1.9-15th), free throw percentage (.832-5th) and three-point percentage (.364-14th).

* Thanks to the trio of Ortiz, Rivers and Burton, the Seahawk guards have accounted for 69.9 percent (1441/2062) of the team's scoring. 

* Since head coach Bashir Mason, who earned his Master's of Science in education in December, took over at the start of last season, his teams have limited the opposition to less than 40 percent shooting in 32 of Wagner's 60 games. Additionally, the Seahawks are a perfect 15-0 when holding teams to less than 35 percent shooting.

* Mason, who was a finalist for the CollegeInsider.com Joe B. Hall First-Year and Ben Jobe Minority Coach of the Year awards last season, is 37-23 in this his second year.

* For the second season in a row, Mason, who is 30 years and 23 days old, is the youngest Division I head coach. In 2012-2013, Mason led the Green & White to a 19-12 record (12-6 NEC) in 2012-2013. Both his overall and NEC win totals represent school-records for a rookie coach.

* Since the start of the 2011-2012 season, Wagner, which was picked to win the 2014 NEC Championship by the league's coaches, is 62-29, including 39-13 during conference play Additionally, the Seahawks are 32-16 in games decided by less than 10 points or in OT, 56-2 when leading with five minutes remaining, 49-2 when limiting opponents to less than 70 points, 41-9 when scoring at least 70, 47-3 when leading at the half, 36-4 when shooting 45 percent or higher and 19-7 following a loss.

* Wagner has been solid on defense this season, leading the NEC in rebounding (39.0), defensive rebounds (26.5) (24th NCAA), offensive rebounds (12.5) (67th NCAA) scoring margin (+2.6), blocks (6.4) (8th NCAA), field goal percentage defense (.390) (15th NCAA) and three-point field goal percentage defense (.300) (22nd NCAA).

* The Seahawks are 32-8 at home (22-4 NEC) over the last three years and 130-69 (.653), all-time, at the renovated Spiro Sports Center (since 1999).

KEY NUMBER (70)
Wagner is a perfect 16-0 when limiting teams to less than 70 points while CCSU is just 1-13 when scoring less than 70 points.

LAST MEETING
In the Blue Devils' 87-83 victory over the Seahawks back on January 23, the visitors scored 11-straight points to turn what was a five-point deficit into a four-point lead with 30 seconds to play. Central Connecticut closed out the game with eight-straight free throws over the final 26 seconds and shot 54.1 percent from the floor, including 43.8 percent from deep, in the game.

HE'S BACK
CCSU junior guard Kyle Vinales missed the first two meetings between the teams due to injury and is averaging 16.6 points and 4.4 assists per game since returning seven games ago. Vinales, who hit a game-winning three to defeat St. Francis Brooklyn before sending the LIU Brooklyn game to overtime with a triple, is shooting a blistering 54.3 percent (25-for-46) since returning to action.

IN HIS CAREER ...
Vinales is averaging 23.5 points per game over six outings against Wagner while shooting 40.4 percent (19-for-47) from long range and set the Spiro Sports Center record with 42 points on February 14, 2013. However, in two career NEC Tournament games against the Seahawks, the Michigan native is converting on just 33.3 percent (13-for-39) from the field and 30.0 percent (6-for-20) from long distance.

A DIFFERENT MOOD
Junior Mario Moody helped finish off Robert Morris with a three-point play that extended a four-point lead out to seven and is averaging 11.7 points and 6.0 rebounds per game over his last three outings. This comes after recording just 15 points and 12 rebounds on 18.2 percent (4-for-22) shooting in his previous four games

DEFENSIVE STATE OF MIND
In Wagner's win over Saint Francis U, the defense allowed a season-low 45 points - breaking the previous mark of 50 set in the first meeting with SFU - while limiting the Red Flash to just 25.0 percent shooting (15-of-60) from the floor, including 25.0 percent (7-of-28) from deep.

RESERVES LEADING THE WAY
Moody scored a team-best 19 points off the bench, highlighted by 8-of-10 shooting, with seven rebounds to lead the Seahawk reserves, which outscored the starters for the third time this season by a 43-32 count in the win over Saint Francis U.

DWAUN DOMINATING THE GLASS
Sophomore Dwaun Anderson became the ninth different member of the Green & White to lead the squad in rebounding this season, pulling down a career-high eight caroms.

CARDIAC KIDS
On Monday, the Wagner overcame a seven-point deficit with just over four minutes remaining in posting a come-from-behind 67-64 victory at FDU.

SAVE THE QUEEN
The Seahawks also defeated the Knights for the seventh straight time and have won 15-of-16 against teams from New Jersey.

RECORD BREAKING
With the victory over FDU, the senior class Folahan, Ortiz, Parker and Rivers broke the previous school record of wins over four years set by the Class of 1969 (72).

EXCELLENCE PERSONIFIED
Wagner also guaranteed its third-straight winning season, marking the fourth time since ascending to Division I in 1976-1977 that the Seahawks have done so.

CLOSE CALL
The Green & White's three-point win over FDU was its second of the year and the second in a row by five points or less after recording five last year and 14 over the previous two seasons.

INTERESTING
Wagner also won for just the third time in the last three years when trailing with five minutes to play at FDU and improved to 3-26 during that time.

A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT
Rivers paced the squad in scoring for the 35th time in his career against FDU with 18 markers. When the Garden State native, who has hit for double-figures 23 times this season and 84 times in his career, leads the way in scoring the Seahawks are 23-12.

CLOSING IT OUT
In the final five minutes of games decided by 10 points or less, Wagner has converted 79.6 percent (90-of-113) from the line, led by Burton (14-of-15).

UNDER THE BRIGHT LIGHTS
The Seahawks improved to 3-1 over the last three years when playing on National Television thanks to its 73-61 victory over Bryant in a game that appeared on the CBS Sports Network.

BLOCK PARTY
Folahan's five-block performance vs. Robert Morris marked the 18th time in his career that he has rejected at least four shots with Wagner going 14-4 during that time.

SERVING IT UP
Ortiz has recorded at least seven assists on 19 occasions in his career with the Seahawks posting a 16-3 mark during that time.

THE GLASS
Thanks to Parker and Folahan, Wagner has won the rebounding battle in 14 of their 16 NEC games while grabbing at least 40 on 10 occasions and pulled down a NEC-best 40.9 caroms per game during league play.

THE SENIORS
Folahan, Ortiz, Parker and Rivers comprise the Seahawk senior class, which has registered 75 wins since descending on Grymes Hill and have accounted for 50.6 percent (1044-of-2062) of the team's offense this year.

SPLITS
The Seahawks are averaging 32.4 points per game in the first half while shooting 39.8 percent from the floor, including 33.2 percent from deep, and 68.2 percent from the line. After halftime, the Green & White is scoring 38.0 points each time out while shooting 45.1 percent from the field, including 34.3 percent from deep, and 76.3 percent from the line.

IN THE RANKINGS
* Ortiz is eighth in school history with 425 assists, 30 behind Tony Rice for seventh.
* Ortiz is tied with Terrance Bailey for sixth with 176 steals and with seven will match Courtney Pritchard.
* Ortiz is eighth with 329 free throws and with 11 more will match Jamie Ciampaglio.
* Rivers is fourth with 372 free throws and needs 53 to equal Mark Porter.
* Rivers is fifth with 195 triples and needs four more to match former teammate Chris Martin.
* Moody is tied with Nigel Wyatte for seventh in school history with 95 blocks and is 10 back of Nick Frederick.

MAKES SENSE
When outshooting the opposition, Wagner is 17-1 this season and 34-3 since the start of last season.

LONG RANGE BLISS
In the Seahawks' 88-59 win at CCSU, the Green & White went 12-of-20 (.600) from long range, including making good on 10-of-12 (.833) in the first half.

BENCH EXPLOSION
Led by Burton, the reserves erupted for 50 points the first time out against CCSU on 67.9 percent (19-of-28) shooting, including 70.0 percent (7-of-10) from long distance. It also marked the first time that the bench scored at least 50 against a D-I team since it notched 56 in a 122-91 victory over Brown on (11/17/00).

60-POINT CLUB
Wagner has won 28 straight games (26-0 since 2011-2012) when limiting teams to 60 points or less thanks to impressive defensive performances against RMU, Saint Francis U (2x), CCSU, Monmouth and Sacred Heart.

HIGH-POWERED BACKCOURT
Thanks to the stellar play of Burton, Ortiz and Rivers, the Seahawk backcourt has accounted for 69.9 percent (1441-of-2062) of the team's offense while posting 77 of the Green & White's 95 double-digit performances.
 
MASON ANNOUNCES CLASS OF 2018
Mason recently announced the signings of Joseph Cooper (Wilmington, DE / Concord), Aaren Edmead (Deer Park, NY / Deer Park) and Corey Henson (Upper Marlboro, MD / DeMatha Catholic) to National Letters of Intent. Cooper will be playing his senior season at Concord High School averaging 13.0 points, 4.0 steals, 3.9 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game as a junior at the Tatnall School. As a junior, Edmead averaged 14 points per game while helping lead Deer Park to a 17-4 record, a league championship and the Suffolk Class AA title game. Henson averaged 10.7 points while draining 48 three-pointers for DeMatha Catholic as a junior.

WAGNER PICKED TO REIGN SUPREME
For the first time in 21 years Wagner was picked in the annual NEC Coaches Poll to stand atop the summit at the end of the season as The Seahawks received seven of the 10 first place votes. Robert Morris and Bryant tied for second with the Colonials earning two first place nods. Three-time defending champion LIU Brooklyn garnered the final first place vote and was tabbed fourth. Central Connecticut was fifth, followed by last year's runner-up Mount St. Mary's, St. Francis Brooklyn, Sacred Heart, SFU and FDU.

SENIORS PACE RESURGENCE
The senior class of Folahan, Ortiz, Parker and Rivers is arguably the main reason that Wagner in considered among the elite of the NEC. The Seahawks are an impressive 75-46, including 48-22 during league play, since the foursome arrived on Staten Island.

MASON PROFILED BY THE NEW YORK TIMES
While being the youngest coach in Division I is a story in itself, it may not be the most unique regarding Wagner's second-year head man Bashir Mason. The Jersey City native was recently profiled by the New York Times and Zach Schonbrun due to the fact that Mason is believed to be the only D-I men's head coach that is also student-teaching in the mornings in order to attain his master's degree in education.

HISTORY IN THE MAKING
The ball-hawking Ortiz became the first-ever three-time winner of the NEC Defensive Player Award.

MEET THE STAFF
Mason will be joined on the bench by Mike Babul, Marquis Webb, Scott Smith, Scott Butterworth and Obie Nwadike in year two. Babul came to Wagner from Auburn, where he served as the Director of Basketball Operations for two years. The former UMass standout also worked at UTEP, Drexel, Youngstown State and Memphis. Webb descended on Staten Island after spending a year at George Mason, where he helped the Patriots to 24 wins in 2011-2012. A 1,000-point scorer at Rutgers, he ranks among the Scarlet Knight all-time leaders with 305 assists. Smith is in his fourth  season as an assistant coach with the Seahawks and the third overall as a member of the staff. Butterworth, who played at Colby-Sawyer University, begins his first season as the Director of Operations. Rounding out the staff is former NEC First Team selection and CCSU standout Nwadike, who notched 1,265 points and 980 rebounds for the Blue Devils from 2003-2007 and most recently played professionally overseas.

UP NEXT
The semifinal rounds will play at the home of the higher seeds at 12:00 and 2:00 pm on Saturday, March 8.

Follow Wagner Athletics on Twitter (@wagnerathletics) for all the latest news and updates on the athletic department, @WagnerHoops for news and updates on the men's basketball program.