STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – The Wagner College women's basketball team dropped a close non-conference meeting with Patriot League member Lafayette by a score of 56-53 on Thursday night at the Spiro Sports Center.

Senior Irene Fernandez de Caleya got the ball rolling for the Seahawks (1-4, 0-0 NEC), the Tarragona, Spain native scored Wagner's first three points while senior Malia Mpondo followed closely with Wagner's next four points.

After Mpondo hit one more free throw, the Leopards (3-3, 0-0 Patriot) finished the first quarter with a 10-8 lead.

The Seahawks attempted 18 shots in the opening frame compared to 13 put up by the Leopards. Wagner also corralled 18 rebounds to Lafayette's seven in the first, including nine offensive rebounds for Wagner and none for Lafayette. 

In the second quarter, the Leopards extended their lead to possess a 25-18 advantage at the break, highlighted by a 6-0 run over the course of two minutes to end the half. Fernandez de Caleya and Mpondo led Wagner with five apiece.

The Seahawks cut into the Leopards lead after winning the third quarter, 15-13. Junior Lijirin Doyinsola Modesayor and sophomore Keana Foz chipped in five points each, senior Maria Doreste hit the Seahawks' lone three of the game to end the period, while Mpondo sunk a field goal herself. 

Leading 30-29 with 3:42 to go in the third, Lafayette would end the period on a 9-3 run to lead 38-33 with 10 minutes to play.

In the fourth, Doyinsola Modesayor scored 10 points to bring the Seahawks back into the game. Senior Angélie Ricard hit two free throws with one minute left to make it even at 51.

Lafayette responded quickly with a basket and two free throws on its next two possessions. Redshirt senior Priscila Varela put up a full-court heave to tie the game, but the attempt fell short to the right, as Lafayette prevailed, 56-53.

Modesayor led all Seahawk scorers with 15 points and 10 rebounds, her second double-double in the last three games. Foz followed with 10 points and eight rebounds, hitting the double-figure mark for the second time this year.

As a team, Wagner outscored Lafayette in points in the paint (30-16), second chance points (12-10), fast break points (9-3), and bench points (30-8), however, the Seahawks shot 1-11 (9.1%) from beyond-the-arc while the Leopards shot 8-20 (40%) from the same distance. 

Next up, the Seahawks welcome MAAC member Iona for a 7:00 p.m. tip-off at the Spiro Sports Center on Monday, November 24.