Staten Island, NY – In an early candidate for Northeast Conference (NEC) Game of the Year, the Wagner College men's basketball team earned a thrilling 84-81 overtime victory over Bryant on Thursday night at the Spiro Sports Center.
With the victory, the Seahawks improve to 8-2 on the year and are now 4-0 in NEC play. The Bulldogs fall to 6-8 on the year and 2-1 in league action.
Tied at 71-71 with under a minute to play, the Bulldogs took the lead on a four-point play by Adham Eleeda. Following two free throws by graduate student
Alex Morales on the ensuing possession, graduate student
Elijah Ford came up with a clutch steal and fed freshman
Zaire Williams for a game-tying layup, setting up the overtime period.
Knotted up at 78-78 in overtime, the Seahawks went on a 6-0 run, as Morales and Ford helped Wagner pull out the win with consecutive buckets. The Bulldogs came within three with one minute to play, but it wasn't enough, as the Seahawks earned the victory.
Morales led Wagner with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, while Ford contributed 16 points, eight rebounds, six assists, two blocks, and three steals. Redshirt-senior
Raekwon Rogers added 15 points and 11 rebounds, while graduate student
Will Martinez was the fourth Seahawk in double figures with 13 points.
Both teams had 47 rebounds, but Wagner held a 21-9 advantage in assists and 46-26 advantage in points in the paint.
Saturday's game against Sacred Heart has been cancelled. The Pioneers are unable to compete due to COVID protocols, necessitating the cancellation.
Wagner will next be in action on Saturday, January 15, when the Seahawks host St. Francis Brooklyn at 1:00 pm at the Spiro Sports Center.
