WATCH | Live Stats | Game Notes
Staten Island, NY - The Wagner College men's basketball team returns home for a rematch with Merrimack on Thursday at 7:00 pm on NECFrontRow.
The Season Series
In the first meeting between the two teams, Wagner outscored Merrimack 40-27 in the second period to earn a thrilling 71-65 victory last Friday night. Defensively, the Seahawks limited the Warriors to 37% (10-27) shooting from the field in the second half, including a 2-14 (14.3%) clip from long range. Offensively, Wagner converted on 25-50 (50%) of field goals, including 12-22 (54.5%) in the second half. Wagner dominated the glass, outrebounding Merrimack 38-22, including an 8-2 edge in offensive rebounds. The Green and White also held a 39-19 advantage in bench points.
Council Continues To Impress
Junior
Melvin Council Jr. was once again named a Northeast Conference (NEC) Prime Performer. Council averaged 14.5 points last week, including a double-double with 15 points and a career-high 13 rebounds in Wagner's win over Merrimack. Council, who has scored in double figures in eight straight, ranks in the NEC top-10 in scoring (14.3, 5th), rebounding (5.5, 10th), assists (3.6, 7th), steals (10th, 1.5), free throw percentage (.800, 4th) and A/TO ratio (2.44, 3rd).
The Wagner DNA
At 62.5 points per game, Wagner enters the week 9th in the country in scoring defense while also leading the NEC. The Seahawks are undefeated when holding opponents to 62 points or less on the season. Merrimack's 65 points on Friday night were the most points Wagner has allowed in a win this season.
Home Sweet Home
The Seahawks enter Thursday night's game with a 5-1 record at the Spiro Sports Center on the season. In NEC play, the Seahawks earned home wins over Saint Francis U and Stonehill. Later this season, Wagner will play four out of the last five games of the regular season at home.
Taking Care Of The Ball
Wagner's 9.8 turnovers per game are 21
st in the country and first in the NEC. The Seahawks' turnover margin of 2.4 is good for 69
th nationally. As a team Wagner's assist/turnover ratio of 1.36 leads the NEC.
Dominating The Glass
Wagner posted a +11.0 rebound margin in its split last week. The Seahawks allowed just seven offensive rebounds total against Merrimack and SHU.
Wagner's 11.29 offensive boards per game rank second in the NEC.
The Floor General
Junior
Javier Ezquerra is averaging 10.2 points per game, a league-best 6.2 assists per game, and 1.6 steals per game vs. NEC competition. Ezquerra has recorded four or more assists in seven straight games and dished out seven assists against Merrimack last week.
Beating The Streak
With Wagner's win over Merrimack, the Seahawks snapped the nation's tenth longest home win streak at 13 games, as the Warriors had gone nearly a year without a home loss.
Two years ago, the Warriors ended Wagner's historic 14-game win streak with an 80-65 overtime victory at the Spiro Sports Center.
Zongo's Career Night
Freshman
Seck Zongo enjoyed a breakout performance against Merrimack last Friday night, scoring a career-high 15 points. Zongo added two blocks and seven rebounds to his career-high point total, giving the Seahawks a spark off the bench.
Downtown Staten Island
Offensively, Wagner already has four games with 10+ threes on the season, the most since the 2019-20 season.
Defensively, the Green and White is holding opponents to 29.8 shooting from long range, which leads the NEC and was good for 33rd in the nation entering the weekend.
Allen Heating Up
Junior
Tahron Allen has scored in double figures in seven of Wagner's last nine games and added 14 points against Merrimack last week. Allen is Wagner's second-leading scorer in conference play with 13.4 points per game and is Wagner's second-leading rebounder in NEC action at 6.4 rebounds per game after grabbing 11 rebounds at Sacred Heart.
Scouting The Warriors
Merrimack earned the split last week with a 63-47 win over Stonehill to move to 4-2 in NEC action. The Warriors are 2-8 overall on the season when playing on the road, including a 1-1 mark in road conference games.
Next Up
The Seahawks will travel to CCSU on Saturday, with tip-off set for 1:00 pm.
