STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The Wagner College men's basketball team fell to CCSU, 62–55, on Thursday night inside the Spiro Sports Center in NEC action.
Wagner (6–13, 1–7 NEC) opened the game with a three-pointer from graduate student
Travis Gray and jumped out to a 12–6 lead with 12:40 remaining in the opening half. CCSU (11–9, 5–4 NEC) responded, tying the game at 13 with 8:29 to play. After a back-and-forth stretch, the Blue Devils pulled away late in the half, taking a 27–19 advantage with 3:50 remaining and carrying a 32–26 lead into the break after leading by as many as nine.
The Seahawks came out aggressive after halftime. A three-pointer from redshirt senior
Jaden Baker and a strong stretch from Gray helped Wagner briefly take a 37–36 lead midway through the second half. Gray later finished through contact in the paint to cut the CCSU lead to 47–46 with just under 10 minutes remaining, igniting the home crowd.
CCSU answered with an 11–5 run over the next four minutes to regain control. Wagner continued to push, pulling within five late, but the Blue Devils sealed the game at the free-throw line in the final two minutes.
Gray led Wagner with 17 points, shooting 4-for-9 from the field and 7-for-8 at the line. Junior
Nick Jones added 10 points, while sophomore
Binael Basil chipped in eight points and a team-high eight rebounds.
Wagner shot 31.5 percent from the field and 22.2 percent from three-point range, while holding a 35–32 edge on the glass. The Seahawks were unable to overcome CCSU's 32–20 advantage in points in the paint.
Wagner returns to action on Saturday as the Seahawks continue NEC play at home against FDU. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m.
