WEST HAVEN, Conn. — The Wagner College men's basketball team continues NEC play on the road Saturday, Jan. 17, traveling to face conference newcomer New Haven. Tip-off is set for 1:00 p.m. inside The Hazell Center, with live coverage on NEC Front Row featuring John Brickley and Joe DeSantis.
Saturday's contest marks the 10th all-time meeting between the programs and the first since 1978. New Haven holds a 7–2 edge in the series.
The Chargers (7–10, 2–2 NEC) enter the weekend following a 65–55 home victory over FDU. Led by head coach Ted Hotaling in his 16th season, New Haven ranks second in the NEC in scoring defense, allowing just 67.3 points per game, while averaging 64.5 points offensively. Junior guard Jabri Fitzpatrick leads the team with 12.0 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. Picked 10th in the NEC Preseason Coaches Poll, the Chargers are competing in their first season at the NCAA Division I level after transitioning from the Division II NE10 Conference.
Wagner (6–9, 1–3 NEC) looks to bounce back after a narrow 70–69 setback to Mercyhurst at home. Junior
Nick Jones paced the Seahawks with 20 points, including a season-high five three-pointers. Junior
Eddie Placer added 11 points, while junior
Michael Cooper chipped in nine points and six rebounds off the bench. Wagner shot 45.5 percent from beyond the arc and owned a 38–28 rebounding advantage, but struggled at the free-throw line, converting 56.3 percent.
The Seahawks lead the NEC in rebounding at 39.6 boards per game, with sophomore
Zavier Fitch averaging a team-best 6.8 rebounds, ranking seventh in the league. Wagner also sits fourth in conference scoring (74.9 ppg) and fifth in assists (14.3 apg), while limiting opponents to NEC lows in field-goal percentage (41.9) and three-point shooting (32.8). Jones leads the Green & White with 14.2 points per game, while redshirt senior
Jaden Baker averages 3.9 assists, tied for third in the conference.
Following Saturday's matchup, Wagner continues NEC play Monday, Jan. 19, at FDU with a 2:00 p.m. tip-off in Hackensack, N.J., airing on YES Network, ESPN+, and NESN.
