(Pictured above: Junior forward Samantha Sullivan - By Dave Saffran)

Staten Island, NY - The Wagner women's basketball team looks for its first Northeast Conference (NEC) win when they host the Central Connecticut Blue Devils (4-11, 1-3). This marks the 38th all-time matchup between the schools and CCSU holds a 23-14 lead in the all-time series.

Nwajei Up to No. 3 Nationally in Scoring
Junior guard Jasmine Nwajei (Rockaway Park, NY/Murry Bergtraum) erupted for 39 points at Sacred Heart on Monday, upping her season average to 24.5 ppg., which ranks No. 3 nationally according to the latest NCAA statistics. In Wagner's four NEC games. In addition, she is averaging a staggering 32.8 ppg in NEC play.  Last season, the New York City guard finished No. 2 nationally in scoring at 24.8 ppg. The 39-point outburst on Monday marked the fifth time this season, and 15th time in her career, that Nwajei has hit for 30 or more points in a game. She is now in fourth place on the Wagner career scoring list with 1,602 career points, having passed 2015 Hall of Fame inductee Nia Ryan (1999-2000), who scored 1,565 career points. Next on the list, in third place, is another Hall of Famer in Maureen (Moe) Coughlin-Hannafin.

Wagner Career Scoring List
1. Stephanie Samuels, 1982-1986           1,835
2. Mary Gormley, 1977-1981                   1,734
3. Maureen Coughlin, 1985-1989             1,612
4. Jasmine Nwajei (2013 – pres.)            1,602
5. Nia Ryan, 1996-2000                          1,565

Roma Rules the Boards
Sophomore Sofia Roma (Richmond Hill, NY/Nazareth Regional) ranks No. 1 in NEC games only, averaging 12.5 rpg. Overall, the 6-2 forward checks in at 9.3 caroms per game which is No. 2 in the conference. She has had four games with 15 or more rebounds thus far this season, topped by the 18-rebound vs. Lafayette (12/9) which matched her career high.
 
Recapping Sacred Heart (Jan., 11, 2016 at William H. Pitt Center, Fairfield, CT)
Jasmine Nwajei had her full arsenal on display, finishing with 39 points, nine rebounds, and five steals, but Sacred Heart was able to hold off a valiant effort by the undermanned Seahawks in posting a 73-62 win. For the game, Nwajei shot 14-of-33 from the field, including 4-of-7 from beyond the arc, while going a perfect 7-of-7 from the free throw line. She narrowly missed a double-double, as her nine rebounds paced the team, as did her five steals. Sacred Heart appeared to be in control  as the Pioneers entered the fourth quarter with a seemingly comfortable 59-46 lead. But a pair of free throws by Nwajei began an 11-5Wagner run over a span of 4:08. Junior guard Lyndsay Rowe (South River, NJ/St. John Vianney) capped the run with a deep three-pointer  from the left corner to make it a 64-58 game with 4:08 remaining in the game, but this is as close as Wagner would get. 
 
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