Chicago, IL - In the Northeast Conference opener, the Wagner women's basketball team (4-9, 1-0 NEC) defeated Chicago State, 85-73, Thursday night at the Jones Convocation Center.
The graduate student duo of Taleah Washington and Julia Fabozzi led the charge for the Seahawks. Washington finished with 28 points, one point short of her career-high, and eight assists. Fabozzi added 17 points to go along with three rebounds. Junior Angelie Ricard posted her first career double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds, while redshirt-sophomore Klea Kaci chipped in with nine points (3-of-6 3FG).
In the opening quarter, the Seahawks went up 20-11 after Kaci connected from downtown. The Green & White would lead 24-17 at the end of the quarter.
The Seahawks began the second quarter on a 7-0 run to take their largest lead of the game, 14, with 8:111 remaining. The Cougars (0-16, 0-1 NEC) answered with a 22-7 to gain a 39-38 lead with 1:10 left in the quarter. In the midst of Chicago State's scoring run, junior Maria Doreste hit a three-pointer for her first points as a Seahawk.
The Fresno State transfer missed the first twelve games due to injury as she logged 17 minutes in her Wagner debut. Washington ended the quarter with a pair of free throws to bring Wagner into the locker with a 40-39 lead.
The third quarter saw six lead changes before Wagner closed the quarter with a 7-2 run and found themselves up 66-60 with one quarter left.
After going down as much as nine in the quarter, the Cougars came within four following a lay-up with 2:32 remaining. The Seahawks then took control and sealed the 85-73 victory with free throws.
The Seahawks begin conference play 1-0 for the first time since 2023. That season, the Green & White started off 5-0 in NEC action.
The Green & White are back in action on Saturday, January 4 against the NEC preseason favorites, FDU, in Hackensack, NJ. Tip-off is slated for 1 PM.
