Staten Island, NY - The Wagner College men's basketball team will play against Northeast Conference (NEC) member Saint Francis U at the DeGol Arena on Sunday, January 26. Tip-off is set for 2:00 pm. 

Last Time Out

The Seahawks suffered a 71-66 defeat to conference newcomer Mercyhurst on January 24 in Erie, PA. Wagner was led by Zae Blake who scored 18 points off the bench on 7-13 from the field and 4-7 from beyond-the-arc. Repeat NEC Prime Performer Zaire Williams added 13 points in the loss. The Lakers shot 29% better from the free throw line than the Seahawks did, going 14-16 from the charity stripe compared to Wagner's 8-14.

Zaire Williams Continues To Impress

Over the last eight games, Zaire Williams has failed to score less than 13 points per game, averaging 17.4 during the span, highlighted by a game-winning layup against SFU on Grymes Hill just last week. At 2.0 steals per game, the Brooklyn native ranks 52nd nationally in the category. 

Bench Making An Impact

Junior R.J. Greene and graduate student Zae Blake average the third and fourth most points on the Seahawks roster, respectively, with only four total starts among the duo. 

Blake averages 8.9 while Greene scores 8.8 per contest. Blake has scored double-figures in six out of his last eight appearances, including a 20-point performance against FDU and an 18-point outing against Mercyhurst last time out. R.J. 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. 

Since The New Year

As of January 20, Zaire Williams is third in the NEC in points per game with 16.4 points per game, second in steals per game with 2.4, and third in three pointers made with 2.2 per game across his last five outings. Senior Javier Ezquerra is fourth in assists with 4.4 per game. 

Blake ranks first in three-point percentage in the conference, shooting 56.3% from downtown on 9-16 shooting. As a team, the Seahawks are second in the NEC circuit in free throw percentage, shooting 77- 99 from the charity stripe for a mark of 77.8%. 

Wagner DNA

The Seahawks have been ranked in the top 10 nationally in scoring defense since December 3. 

Currently, Wagner is sixth in the nation in scoring defense, allowing 59.7 points per game, trailing ACC member Duke by .2 in the category. Along with a top ranked scoring defense, the Green & White ranks in the top 14% in the country in rebound margin at +5.5 and in the top 24% nationally in turnovers forced per game with 13.6. 

The Series

The Seahawks hold a 45-39 advantage over the Red Flash, winning nine out of the last 10 matchups between the two programs. Wagner is on a four-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 double overtime, 70-68. Zaire Williams hit a game-winner with 1.9 second left, Ja'Kair Sanchez led the charge with 24 points on 11-12 from the free throw line. Wagner and Saint Francis U's last two matchups have both ended in overtime. Two matchups ago, the Seahawks defeated the Red Flash, 65-63, at DeGol Arena.

Scouting The Red Flash

Saint Francis U comes into Monday's game with a 8-13 record and a 3-4 mark in NEC action, with wins over LIU, Mercyhurst, and FDU and losses to CCSU, Stonehill, and LIU. Junior guard Riley Parker leads the Red Flash with 12.6 points per game, as Sophomore guard Bobby Rosenberger adds 11 points per contest. Junior Forward Valentino Pinedo chips in 9.6 points and a team-high 6.9 rebounds per game. Most recently, Parker scored 29 points against LIU in a 74-64 win to grant the Sharks their first conference loss of the season. 

Next Up

Wagner will travel to Easton, MA for its first matchup with Stonehill on Thursday, January 30. Tip-off is set for 7:00 pm at Merkert Gymnasium.