LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – The Wagner College women's basketball defeated MAAC member Rider by a score of 46-34 at Alumni Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon.
The Seahawks (3-6, 0-0 NEC) recorded 17 steals against the Broncs (2-7, 0-0 MAAC), which is the most steals in a single-game by a Wagner team since Wagner stole the ball 18 times against Colgate back on December 1, 2008.
The Seahawks held Rider to 5-28 (17.9%) from beyond-the-arc, while also outsourcing the Broncs 36-14 in the paint.
Wagner jumped out to an early 11-2 lead midway through the opening quarter. Rider cut the first period lead to three after a 6-2 run of its own.
At the end of the first, Wagner held onto a 13-8 lead. Senior Irene Fernandez de Caleya and junior Lijirin Doyinsola Modesayor led the Seahawks offensive with five and four points respectively.
Wagner forced Rider to commit nine turnovers in the first 10 minutes of action due to its full-court pressure defense. The Seahawks also attempted eight more field goals than the Broncs in the opening frame.
Wagner further extended its lead in the second quarter by outscoring Rider 12-6 to take a 25-14 halftime lead. Fernandez de Caleya and Doyinsola Modesayor scored 10 of the Seahawks's 12 points in the second quarter. At the half, the duo had 10 and nine points with Fernandez de Caleya leading the way.
After a tied 11-11 third period, Wagner went into the final quarter with a 36-25 advantage.
In the fourth, the Green & White shot 5-10 (50.0%) from the floor while Rider shot 4-18 (22.2%). Redshirt senior Priscila Varela scored a team-high four points on 2-2 shooting and to go along with two steals and one rebound.
In the end, Wagner prevailed by allowing a season-low 34 points. With the win, the Seahawks snap a 10-game road losing skid.
Doyinsola Modesayor led Wagner with 16 points and eight boards while Fernandez de Caleya added 10 points and five rebounds. Senior Raneem Elbarky chipped in six points as Varela, senior Angélie Ricard and sophomore Keana Foz scored four each.
As a team, Wagner enjoyed a 36-14 advantage over Rider in points scored in the paint.
Next up, Wagner travels to A10 member Rhode Island for an 11:00 a.m. matchup on Friday, December 19.
