Brooklyn, NY – The Wagner women's basketball team (5-16, 2-7 NEC) came up just short in a triple-overtime battle against LIU (6-17, 3-7 NEC), falling 80-79 at the Steinberg Wellness Center on Thursday night.
Graduate student Julia Fabozzi delivered a standout performance, scoring a career-high 40 points on an efficient 14-of-20 shooting across 52 minutes of play. Her 40-point effort ties for sixth all-time in single-game scoring in Wagner history. The Staten Island native also contributed eight rebounds and two blocks.
Graduate student Taleah Washington and freshman Keana Foz each added 12 points and seven rebounds, with Washington also dishing out six assists. Additionally, four Seahawks set new career highs for minutes played in the game.
Wagner took an early 12-9 lead after the first quarter and extended their advantage to 27-19 by halftime.
In the third quarter, LIU chipped away at the deficit, eventually tying the game at 33 with 2:22 left in the period. The Sharks then grabbed a 37-35 lead in the final minute. To open the fourth quarter, Fabozzi hit a three-pointer for the Seahawks, setting the stage for a back-and-forth battle that saw five lead changes. With 33 seconds remaining and Wagner holding a one-point edge, redshirt sophomore Klea Kaci drained her second three-pointer of the night, pushing the lead to four at 52-48. LIU responded with a three-pointer of their own. On Wagner's next possession, junior Angelie Ricard was fouled and made both free throws, giving the Seahawks a 54-51 lead with 11 seconds left. However, LIU drew a foul on a three-point attempt on the next possession and converted all three free throws to send the game to overtime.
In the first overtime, the Seahawks trailed by as many as eight, down 62-54 with 2:09 remaining. With 23 seconds left and Wagner behind 65-60, Fabozzi completed a three-point play. On the ensuing possession, Washington stole the ball, got fouled, and hit both free throws to tie the game at 65, forcing a second overtime.
During the second overtime, LIU built a 75-69 lead after a three-pointer with 56 seconds left. Wagner responded with a 6-0 run, fueled by two layups from Fabozzi and a floater from Foz, to send the game into a third overtime.
Wagner struck first in the third overtime with a free throw from Washington, but LIU regained the lead, 78-76, after hitting a three-pointer. Fabozzi answered with another three-point play, giving Wagner a 79-78 advantage with 1:45 left. The score remained unchanged until LIU gained possession after a jump ball with 16 seconds remaining. Junior guard Sirviva Legions let the clock wind down before sinking a 14-foot jumper with four seconds left. Wagner had one final opportunity, but their last shot fell short, sealing an 80-79 victory for the Sharks.
LIU's sharp shooting proved crucial, as they made six more three-pointers than Wagner and recorded ten blocks. This was Wagner's first overtime game since March 5, 2021, when they defeated Mount St. Mary's, 73-69, in double overtime.
The Seahawks return to action on Saturday, February 8, 2025, for a 4:00 PM tip-off against FDU at the Spiro Sports Center.
