STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The Wagner College men's basketball team came up just short in a tightly contested NEC battle, falling 70–69 to Mercyhurst on Saturday afternoon inside the Spiro Sports Center.
The game featured seven ties and 15 lead changes, with neither team able to create separation, as Mercyhurst (7–10, 2–2 NEC) edged Wagner (6–9, 1–3 NEC) in a one-possession finish.
Junior
Bryan Akanmu converted a pair of free throws to give Wagner its largest lead of the opening half at 22–15 with nine minutes remaining. Mercyhurst responded with a 12–0 run over the next four minutes to take a 27–22 advantage. Junior
Nick Jones capped the half with a buzzer-beating three-pointer to knot the score at 32–32 at the break. The Seahawks shot 40.7 percent from the field in the opening half and knocked down six three-pointers.
Wagner carried that momentum into the second half, holding a slight edge over the first six minutes as the teams continued to trade baskets. The game was tied at 55–55 with 6:07 remaining before Mercyhurst briefly regained the lead. Jones answered with a three-pointer to put the Green & White back in front, but the Lakers capitalized down the stretch, taking a 64–63 lead with 46 seconds remaining.
After Wagner was unable to convert on its ensuing possession, Mercyhurst sealed the game at the free-throw line, extending its lead to 70–66 with seven seconds remaining. Jones drilled a contested corner three-pointer with one second left to pull Wagner within one, but it was not enough as the Lakers held on for the victory.
Jones led Wagner with 20 points, knocking down a season-high five three-pointers. Junior
Eddie Placer added 11 points, while junior
Michael Cooper contributed nine points and six rebounds off the bench. Wagner shot 45.5 percent from beyond the arc and held a 38–28 rebounding advantage, but converted just 56.3 percent from the free-throw line.
Mercyhurst shot 38.5 percent from three-point range and 81.0 percent at the free-throw line.
The Seahawks fall to 6–9 overall and 1–3 in NEC play. Wagner will look to bounce back on the road next weekend at conference newcomer New Haven on Saturday, January 17, at 1:00 p.m.
