STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – The Wagner College women's basketball team emerged victorious in its 2025-26 conference opener over Chicago State by a score of 62-51 on Friday night at the Spiro Sports Center.
Sophomore Keana Foz flipped the switch in the fourth quarter and scored 11 of her 13 points on 4-6 (66.7%) from the field while grabbing five of her seven rebounds during the frame.
The Mississauga, Ontario native scored as many points by herself as the entire Chicago State team scored in the final quarter, leading Wagner to a double-digit win in the team's conference opener.
The Seahawks (5-7, 1-0 NEC) overcame a 17-8 first quarter by winning the second by a score of 23-7, to take a 42-34 advantage heading into the halftime break over the Cougars (1-13, 0-1 NEC). Chicago State went 7-10 (70%) from the foul line in the first quarter.
Wagner outscored Chicago State in the paint by a margin of 14-2 during the second period after being outscored 10-6 in the category during the first period.
At the half, redshirt junior Klea Kaci led the Seahawks with 10 points on 4-5 shooting (80.0%) to go along with two assists. Senior Irene Fernandez de Caleya followed with eight points, five rebounds, and two assists after 20 minutes of action.
The Cougars chipped into the Seahawks halftime lead by winning the third quarter, 16-14, to head into the final period of play with a 45-40 score.
In the third, Chicago State enjoyed a 10-2 advantage in points off of turnovers while Wagner won another quarter in the paint, 12-8. Junior Lijirin Doyinsola Modesayor scored five points in the frame to lead the Seahawks.
Chicago State was able to make it a one possession contest with 8:50 remaining in the game, but an impressive fourth quarter from Foz ballooned the Seahawks' lead back up to 11 by the conclusion of the game.
Foz finished the game with 13 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. Fernandez de Caleya (14), Kaci (12), and Doyinsola Modesayor (10), all scored in double-digits with Foz and Fernandez de Caleya both corralling seven rebounds each.
As a team, Wagner outscored Chicago State 36-26 in the paint. The Seahawks led for less than two total minutes in the first half, but did not trail at any points in the second half.
With the win, the Seahawks have won five out of the last six conference openers.
Next up, the Green & White travel to Stonehill for their first NEC road test of the 2025-26 season. Tip-off between the Seahawks and Skyhawks is set for 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 4 at Merkert Gymnasium.
