Pictured Above: Junior
Alex Morales
Box Score (PDF)
South Orange, NJ – The Wagner College men's basketball team battled and stayed within two possessions for a majority of the first half before falling to #12 Seton Hall 105-71 on Tuesday night in the season opener for both teams.
Four Seahawks, including three newcomers, scored in double figures, as junior
Alex Morales led the way with 17 points in his first start in Green and White. Junior
Will Martinez added 14 points off the bench, while graduate transfer
Patrick Szpir and sophomore guard
Tyrone Nesby IV added 12 points apiece.
Both teams battled in the opening half of the season and a pair of free throws by junior
Chase Freeman pulled the Seahawks within 6 at 26-20 at the midway point of the first half. Wagner stayed within reach of the nationally ranked Pirates early on thanks to 12 first half points by Nesby, all of which coming from downtown.
Nesby's fourth three of the half and a free throw by Morales capped a 6-0 Seahawk run to pull Wagner within 36-30 with 5:49 to play, but that's as close as the Seahawks would get.
In the second half, Morales and Martinez found their rhythm, as Morales scored 12 of his 17 points in the second period, while Martinez chipped in 10 points coming out of the halftime locker room.
Szpir led the Seahawks with 11 rebounds and was the only player on either side to record a double-double.
Overall, seven players made their Seahawk debut in Morales, Martinez, Szpir, graduate student
Curtis Cobb III, sophomore
Atiba Taylor, and freshmen
Ja'Mier Fletcher and
DeAndre Wilkins.
Seton Hall was led by Myles Powell's 27 points as five Pirates scored in double figures.
The Seahawks are next in action this Saturday, November 9, as they travel to Big 10 member Penn State, with tip-off set for 4 pm.
