Staten Island, NY – Senior
Alex Morales scored 25 points and grabbed seven rebounds, but it wasn't enough, as the Wagner men's basketball team dropped a tightly contested 77-66 matchup against LIU on Thursday night at the Spiro Sports Center.
With the loss, Wagner falls to 1-5 on the season and 1-4 in Northeast Conference (NEC) play, while LIU improves to 4-1 on the year. Both teams will meet again tomorrow at 7:00 pm for the second game of the series.
In a game that featured 12 ties and 13 lead changes, the Sharks held a 38-27 rebounding advantage, marking the first time the Seahawks were outrebounded by NEC competition this season. Both teams combined for 38 turnovers, with LIU holding a 23-15 lead in points from turnovers.
In a tightly contested first half, the Seahawks jumped out to a 24-17 lead with 5:28 to play on a layup by sophomore
DeAndre Wilkins, which marked Wagner's biggest lead of the contest. The Sharks answered to tie the game at 31-31 at the half.
Both teams continued to battle in a close second half until the Sharks turned the tide late. After a three by freshman
Elijah Allen tied the game at 54-54 with 6:49 to play, LIU scored the next nine points to build a 63-54 lead.
The Seahawks clawed their way back into the game, as three-pointers by senior
Will Martinez and
DeLonnie Hunt and a pair of Morales free throws cut the deficit to 65-62 with 3:22 to play. On the ensuing possession, Martinez and senior
Chase Freeman combined for the defensive stop, with Martinez converting the layup to make it a one-point game.
That was the closest the Seahawks would get, however, as LIU ended the game on a 12-2 run to earn the victory.
Martinez was the second Seahawk in double figures with 14 points, while LIU's Tyrn Flowers led all scorers with 27 points.
Tomorrow's second game of the series will be broadcast live on NECFrontRow.com
