RIVERDALE, N.Y. — The Wagner College men's basketball team completed a dramatic comeback on Wednesday night, earning a 103–101 overtime victory over Manhattan at Draddy Gymnasium for its first win of the season.
Manhattan (3–4, 0–0 MAAC) rode a hot shooting start to build a 19-point first-half lead, going ahead 53–34 with 3:05 remaining. Wagner (1–5, 0–0 NEC) steadied late in the half, as junior Bryan Akanamu scored on a tip-in in the final seconds to send the Seahawks into the break trailing 56–43.
The Jaspers continued their strong shooting to open the second half and held a 68–54 advantage with 14:33 left. Wagner responded with a 27–13 run to climb back into the game. With 5:52 remaining, redshirt-senior
Jaden Baker converted an and-one after knocking down his second three-pointer of the night to cut the deficit to 81–79. Akanamu then tied the game at 81 with a layup at the 4:29 mark.
Junior
Nick Jones found sophomore
Zavier Fitch for a right-wing three-pointer to give the Seahawks an 85–84 lead with 1:30 left. Moments later, Jones connected on a deep three to extend the advantage to 88–84 with 43 seconds remaining. Manhattan trimmed the margin to one and went to the line with 12 seconds left, converting one of two free throws to force overtime tied at 89–89.
Baker opened the scoring in the extra period, but Manhattan answered with a 12–5 burst to take a 101–96 lead. With 58 seconds remaining, Jones attacked the rim, finished through contact, and completed the three-point play to make it 101–99. On the next possession, he drove again and tied the game at 101 with a layup. After a defensive stop resulted in a dead-ball rebound, Wagner advanced the ball with five seconds left. Jones was fouled in the backcourt in the bonus and calmly sank both free throws to seal the 103–101 victory.
Jones delivered a career night, pouring in 35 points on 11-of-17 shooting while adding six rebounds, six assists, two blocks, and a steal. Fitch recorded his first career double-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks, while graduate student
Sam Smith chipped in 14 points and six boards.
Wagner posted its strongest offensive performance of the season, shooting 58 percent from the field and 56 percent (9-of-16) from three while scoring 54 points in the paint. The Seahawks also won the rebounding battle 42–31 and received 32 points from the bench.
The victory also marked
Dwan McMillan's first win as interim head coach.
The Seahawks return to the floor on Tuesday, December 2, for an 8:00 p.m. matchup at Maryland inside the XFINITY Center in College Park, Md.
