STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The Wagner College men's basketball team earned an overtime victory on Thursday night, edging Bloomfield College 95–93 inside the Spiro Sports Center.
Bloomfield (5–4, 4–2 USCAA) rode a hot shooting start—knocking down eight first-half three-pointers—to take a 48–42 lead into the break.
Wagner (3–6, 0–0 NEC) responded early in the second half behind junior
Michael Cooper, who scored five straight points to cut into the deficit. The Seahawks grabbed their first lead of the half at 57–55 on a jumper from redshirt-senior
Jaden Baker and extended the advantage minutes later when graduate student
Travis Gray connected on a right-wing three to make it 58–57. From there, the teams traded baskets deep into the closing minutes.
With 1:12 remaining and Wagner trailing 82–80, junior
Eddie Placer delivered a pivotal three-pointer to push the Seahawks ahead 83–82. After Bloomfield answered to tie the game at 85–85 with 14 seconds left, Wagner had two looks at the buzzer, but the contest headed to overtime—the Seahawks' third extra-period game this season.
Bloomfield opened the extra session on a 6–0 run to take a 91–85 lead before Wagner mounted its final push. Junior
Bryan Akanmu scored the next four points, then added layups at the 1:34 and 0:58 marks to trim the deficit to 93–91. Following a key defensive stop, Placer was fouled and knocked down both free throws to even the score at 93–93 with 20 seconds remaining.
On the ensuing possession, Baker came up with a steal near midcourt, leading to a Bloomfield foul with two seconds left. Akanmu calmly sank both free throws to give Wagner a 95–93 advantage. The Bears' last-second three-point attempt bounced off the rim as time expired, sealing the Seahawks' comeback win.
Akanmu paced Wagner with 18 points and four rebounds, including eight crucial points in overtime. Baker added 16 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, while junior
John Awoke chipped in 14 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
Wagner shot 50.7 percent from the field and outrebounded the Bears 51–32, controlling the paint with 48 points inside and 18 second-chance points.
The Seahawks return to action on Wednesday, December 17, when they host Maryland Eastern Shore for a 7:00 p.m. tip at the Spiro Sports Center.
