Box Score SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. — The Wagner College men's basketball team battled wire-to-wire on Friday night, falling 68–61 to Big East member Seton Hall at Walsh Gymnasium.
Seton Hall (2–0) opened the game on a 12–3 run before Wagner (0–2) responded to even the score at 13 after sophomore Zavier Fitch buried a three-pointer with 11:30 remaining in the first half. On the next possession, junior John Awoke knocked down a three-pointer — his first of six on the night — to give the Seahawks their first lead of the evening at 16–13. Wagner carried that momentum into halftime, taking a 31–30 advantage.
Seton Hall took control in the second half, building a multi-possession lead before a layup by sophomore Binael Basil brought Wagner back within two, 46–44, with 10:12 remaining. The Pirates forced 20 turnovers in the game and held a narrow 62–58 lead with 2:20 left before closing out the contest at the free-throw line to hold on for the 68–61 win.
Awoke led the Seahawks with 20 points on 7-of-9 shooting, including 6-of-7 from beyond the arc off the bench in his Wagner debut. Junior Eddie Placer added 11 points and four rebounds off the bench, connecting on 3-of-8 from three-point range, while Fitch finished with eight points and eight boards.
Wagner shot 45 percent from the field and 48 percent (12-of-25) from three-point range, outscoring Seton Hall's bench 45–21. The Pirates held a 40–29 edge on the glass and scored 22 points off turnovers to secure the victory.
The Seahawks return to action on Tuesday, November 11, with a 7:00 p.m. tipoff at Fordham inside Rose Hill Gym in the Bronx.
