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Staten Island, NY - The Wagner College men's basketball team will begin its 2024-25 Northeast Conference (NEC) campaign against conference newcomer Chicago State on Friday, January 3. Tip-off is set for 7:00 pm at the Spiro Sports Center.

Five Out Of The Last Six

Wagner went 5-1 during the month of December. The Seahawks are allowing 53 points during their last six games. The Green & White are yet to give up double digit offensive rebounds throughout their last six contests. Wagner has held its opponents to 37.2% shooting percentage from the field during the month. 

A Career Night

Junior wing R.J Greene dished out a career-high 10 assists in the Seahawks' win over Penn State Scranton. Greene posted his second double-double of the season. Most recently scoring 13 points and corralling 13 rebounds in a win over Penn State Fayette. Greene is third in the conference in rebounds per game with 6.

The Return Of Zaire

Senior guard Zaire Williams is averaging 22 points throughout his last two games, leading the Seahawks in scoring with 10.9 per game. Williams missed Wagner's games against Coppin State, UMES, and NJIT before returning to the bench against Manhattan and Penn State Fayette. Williams returned to the starting lineup against Penn State Scranton.

It Takes A Village

Freshman forward Zavier Fitch has increased his scoring totals in each of the last three games. Fitch added seven against Manhattan, eight against Penn State Fayette, and then exploded for 21 points last time out against Penn State Scranton. Before the return of Williams, senior Ja'Kair Sanchez started five games, averaging 14.6 points during the span. Sanchez scored 22 points against Coppin State, 15 against NJIT, and 16 against 16 Manhattan, earning NEC Prime Performer nods twice during the month of December. Prior to being out with injury, graduate student guard Zae Blake scored in double digits against NJIT and Manhattan from off the bench.

Wagner DNA

The Seahawks are ranked tied for third in the nation in scoring defense. Wagner only allows 56.5 points per game to its opponents, and 53 points throughout the last six games. The Green & White hold their opponents to 40.6% from the field, which sits atop the conference. The Seahawks rank in the top 14% nationally in turnovers forced per game with 15.08. Wagner ranks in the top 16% in the nation in rebound margin, grabbing 6.4 more rebounds than the opposition. 

Seahawks Among The NEC

Ezquerra leads the conference in assists with 5.2 per game as well as AST/TO ratio with 2.7. Greene places himself fourth in rebounds per game with 6.0, and tied for first in offensive rebounds per contest with 2.3. Seniors Tyje Kelton and Zaire Williams sit in fourth and fifth, respectively, in three-pointers made per game. Kelton nails 2.1 per game while Williams averages two field goals from beyond-the-arc. Williams is also fourth in steals per game in the circuit with 1.9 swipes per contest.

The Series

Friday's matchup marks the first between the two Seahawks and Cougars. Chicago State joined the NEC as a full-time member in the summer of 2024. Last year, Chicago State was an NCAA Division I Independent but after spending almost a decade in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). 

Scouting The Cougars

Chicago State holds a record of 0-15 on its 2024-25 campaign. The Cougars have played the 41st-most difficult schedule in the nation. Senior forward Noble Crawford and junior guard Jalen Forrest lead the Cougars with 8.8 points per game. As a team, Chicago State gives up the sixth most points nationally to its opponents at 85.3 per game.

Next Up

Wagner will welcome the FDU Knights to Grymes Hill on Sunday, January 5. Tip-off is set for 1:00 pm at the Spiro Sports Center.