Staten Island, NY - Junior
Melvin Council Jr. scored a game-high 18 points as the Wagner College men's basketball team earned a 64-51 victory against NJIT on Saturday afternoon.
Junior Javier Ezquerra joined Council in double figures with 12 points.
The Seahawks led by as much as 11 in the opening 20 minutes, with Council leading the way with 13 first half points. But the Highlanders closed the gap in the final six minutes, forging together a 12-3 run to make it a 31-29 game at the intermission.
Wagner grew its lead in the second half, allowing just five made field goals, as the Highlanders shot 25% (5-20) from the field after the half.
Consecutive traditional three-point plays by junior Zaire Williams and Lewis electrified the crowd and put the Seahawks ahead by 14, their largest lead of the contest with 5:58 to play.
The Seahawks made ten three-pointers to NJIT's four. Six different players knocked in three-pointers, with junior Tyje Kelton and Council Jr. leading the way with three apiece.
Additionally, seven Seahawks scored at least five points on the day.
The Green & White move to 2-3 with the hard-fought win, while the Highlanders fall to 1-4 on the year.
Wagner will be back in action on Tuesday, November 28 when the Seahawks take on Big East member Providence at 7:00 pm.
