Staten Island, NY – A 14-2 Wagner run early in the second half ignited the crowd at the Spiro Sports Center and cut the deficit to 52-45, but Saint Francis U pulled away for an 85-68 win on Saturday afternoon.
With the loss, Wagner falls to 5-17 on the season and 2-9 in conference play, while the Red Flash improves to 16-8 overall and 9-4 in Northeast Conference (NEC) action.
Junior
Elijah Ford led the way with 21 points, while fellow junior
Chase Freeman was the second Seahawk in double figures with 11 points.
For Ford, his 21 points on 8-11 shooting set a new career high and marked the first 20-point performance of his collegiate career.
The Seahawks jumped out to an early lead on consecutive baskets by freshman
Darion Jordan-Thomas, which gave the Green and White a 7-6 advantage with 16:04 to play in the first half. Saint Francis U answered back, executing on both ends of the floor to take a double-digit lead midway through the first period.
Trailing 48-29 at the midway mark, a basket by Ford ignited the Wagner run that stretched for over three minutes and concluded with another Ford basket with 14:42 remaining, making it a seven-point game.
SFU answered back with a 14-4 run of its own to take control of the contest and earn the victory.
The Seahawks held an 11-7 advantage in offensive rebounds, but the Red Flash had a 32-29 advantage on the glass overall.
Keith Braxton led five SFU players in double figures with 22 points, as the Red Flash shot 55.6% from the field on the afternoon.
The Seahawks held a 38-14 advantage in bench points, while shooting 41% (25-61) on the night.
Wagner will be back on the road on Thursday night, as the Seahawks travel to Fairleigh Dickinson, with tip-off set for 7:00 pm.
