Pictured Above: Redshirt freshman guard Morgan Lenahan (by Dave Saffran)
Staten Island, NY – Redshirt freshman guard
Morgan Lenahan knocked down a three-point jumper with 24 seconds left to play and the Wagner women's basketball team forced St. Francis Brooklyn into a rushed three-pointer, which was off the mark, as the Seahawks held on for a 50-47 victory over St. Francis Brooklyn on Saturday afternoon at the Spiro Sports Center.
With the win, Wagner snaps an eight-game losing streak in improving to 4-17 on the season, 2-8 in Northeast Conference (NEC) play. The Terriers fall to 8-13 overall and 4-6 in league.
In gaining the win, the Seahawks avenge an 80-76 loss at St. Francis Brooklyn back on January 15.
Fifth-year senior forward
Sierra Clark paced Wagner with 12 points and 10 rebounds in recording her 12
th double-double of the season. Entering today's play, the 5-11 Maryland native ranked No. 11 nationally in double-doubles.
Redshirt freshman forward
Taylah Simmons also hit for double figures, finishing with 11 points, to go with five rebounds, three steals and two assists while Lenahan and junior guard
Nakyila Carter added nine points apiece for the Seahawks.
After taking a 23-22 halftime lead in this defensive tussle, the Green & White narrowly outscored the Terriers 16-14 in the third quarter, which was capped by a Clark three-pointer at the buzzer as Wagner took a 39-36 lead into the fourth.
The final frame was a nip-and-tuck affair, much like the first three quarters as the biggest separation was a four-point, 42-38 Wagner lead following a Carter three-ball with 8:17 left. The Terriers took their final lead of the game at 46-44 after a pair of free throws from Amy O'Neill with 4:53 left.
That's the way the score remained until Clark hit 1-of-2 from the line with 1:58 left to draw Wagner to within one point at 47-46. On SFBK's ensuing possession, Jade Johnson was fouled with 1:36 left to play and, after missing her first try, she sank the second to forge the game's ninth and final tie at 47-47.
After each team missed contested layups, Wagner called timeout with 44 seconds left. Following the inbounds, the Seahawks patiently worked the ball around the perimeter until Russell found an open Lenahan just to the right of the top of the top of the key, and the 5-11 guard from South Jersey did the rest, nailing the clutch three-pointer to put Wagner ahead by a 50-47 count.
After St. Francis Brooklyn called a timeout with 18 seconds left, the Terriers struggled against Wagner's half-court defensive set, having to settle for a tightly-contested three-point try by Alex Delaney which was off the mark. SFBK's Samantha Keltos grabbed the offensive rebound but was unable to make the putback as Clark came away the rebound with just 3.6 seconds to play.
After Wagner called its final timeout, the Seahawks were able to inbound the ball and dribble out the final three ticks in securing the win.
Johnson paced the Terriers in scoring with 11 while Maria Palarino and Abby Anderson added nine and eight points, respectively.
Wagner raced out to a 16-9 lead after one quarter as Lenahan led the way with six points on a pair of three-point jumpers. After the Seahawks built their biggest lead of the half, a 21-13, eight-point bulge, the Terriers countered with a 10-2 run to close the half to make it a 23-22 game at the intermission.
Today's game marked the 81st all-time meeting between the schools and the Seahawks now hold a 58-22 lead in the all-time series.
Wagner will conclude its mini two-game homestand vs. LIU Brooklyn in a 7:00 p.m. tip-off on Monday, February 5.
NOTE: Today's Wagner-St. Francis Brooklyn contest was "Play4Kay" Day in support of the
Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Named for the late North Carolina State head coach, the Kay Yow Fund raises awareness and funds in supports of women's cancer research. In the last decade, the Kay Yow Fund has allocated more than five million dollars to cancer research. All fans who wore pink to today's game received free admission.
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