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Staten Island, NY - The Wagner College men's basketball team will play against Northeast Conference (NEC) member Saint Francis U at the Spiro Sports Center on Monday, January 20. Tip-off is set for 1:00 pm.
Within The NEC
Since January 3, the Seahawks have the best free-throw percentage in the conference. Wagner is shooting 79.7% from the charity stripe (59-74). Wagner is second in offensive rebounds per game within the NEC, grabbing 11 per game, trailing FDU by 0.5 rebounds per game in the category. Individually, Zaire Williams is fourth in scoring at 16.8 points per game. Williams is also first in steals per game with 2.8. Overall, the Brooklyn native has 11 steals in Wagner's four NEC games. Zae Blake ranks 13th in points per game with 12.8 points per game. Blake also ranks first in three-point per percentage, shooting 4-7 from, 57.1%, downtown in his last four games. The transfer from Green Bay sits in third place in overall field goal percentage, shooting 18-32 for a success rate of 56.3% from the floor. Javier Ezquerra is third in assists with 4.3 dimes per game.
Next Man Up
Junior R.J. Greene, graduate student Ja'Kair Sanchez, and Blake average the second, third, and fourth most points on the Seahawks roster, with only eight total starts among the trio. Greene averages 9.2 while Sanchez and Blake score 8.6 per contest. Greene has scored crucial buckets in close wins for Wagner - Boston U and UMES - leading the Seahawks in scoring in both of those games as well as against Mercyhurst. Sanchez has led Wagner in scoring five separate times, highlighted by a 22-point output against Coppin State and an efficient 19 points on 8-11 from the field at CCSU, including a game-sealing layup with less than a minute to go. Blake has scored double-figures in five out of his last six appearances, including a 20-point performance against FDU on January 5. Blake has yet to score less than seven points since December 8 at UMES.
Wagner DNA
The Seahawks have been ranked in the top 10 nationally in scoring defense since December 3. Currently, Wagner is third in the nation in scoring defense, allowing 58.6 points per game. The Green & White rank 55th nationally in turnovers forced per game with 14.29 and 56th in rebounding margin at +5.2. On the season, Williams averages 2.08 steals per game which ranks him 43rd in the nation. Since the start of the 2024-25 season, the Seahawks have garnered the conference's best marks in rebounding margin (+5.2) and steals per game (8.2).
Last Time Out
The Seahawks suffered a loss to the Mercyhurst Lakers on January 18 at the Spiro Sports Center by a score of 69-65. Wagner was led by junior R.J. Greene with 17 points on 11-14 from the free throw line. Williams added 15 points on 5-14 from the floor. Mercyhurst would ride a 47-35 second half to its second league win of the season.
The Series
Monday's game marks the 84th meeting between Wagner and Saint Francis U all-time. The Seahawks hold an 18-8 advantage over the Red Flash, winning eight out of the last nine matchups between the two programs. Wagner is on a three-game win streak when facing off against Saint Francis U. The last time Wagner suffered a defeat at the hands of Saint Francis U was back on January 7, 2023. The last time these two teams met, the Seahawks out-edged the Red Flash in overtime, 65-63. Lewis had 10 points in that game.
Scouting The Red Flash
Saint Francis U comes into Monday's game with a 7-12 record and a 2-3 mark in NEC action, with wins over Mercyhurst and FDU and losses to CCSU, Stonehill, and LIU. Sophomore guard Bobby Rosenberger leads the Red Flash with 11.6 points per game, as junior guard Riley Parker adds 11.4 points per contest. Junior Forward Valentino Pinedo chips in 9.2 points and a team-high 6.4 rebounds per game.
Next Up
Wagner will travel to conference newcomer Mercyhurst for a matchup in Erie, PA on Friday, January 24. Tip-off is set for 1:00 pm.
