STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The Wagner College men's basketball team earned a dramatic 75–72 overtime victory over FDU on Saturday afternoon inside the Spiro Sports Center.
Wagner (7–13, 2–7 NEC) was led by a dominant performance from junior
Nick Jones, who poured in a game-high 26 points to go along with three rebounds, three assists, and two steals in 37 minutes of action. Jones delivered in the clutch, tying the game late in overtime before setting up the decisive play moments later.
With the score knotted at 72–72 and time winding down in the extra session, graduate student
Travis Gray's corner three caromed off the rim and hung momentarily before falling in at the buzzer, lifting the Seahawks to their second NEC victory of the season. Gray finished with 12 points and a game-high 13 rebounds, recording a double-double.
Wagner built early momentum in the first half, opening up a 12-point advantage midway through the period. The Seahawks carried a 33–29 lead into the break after shooting 91.7 percent from the free-throw line in the opening half and holding FDU (7–16, 4–6 NEC) to 39.3 percent shooting from the floor.
The Knights responded in the second half, grabbing their first lead of the afternoon at 41–40 with 14:15 remaining. FDU extended its margin to 10, 60–50, with 7:40 left before Wagner mounted a late comeback.
Redshirt senior
Jaden Baker sparked the rally, as a steal led to a Jones jumper that gave the Green & White a 65–64 lead with 42 seconds remaining. Wagner forced a stop on the ensuing possession, and Gray was fouled after securing the rebound. Gray split a pair at the line before FDU tied the game at 66 on a driving layup with four seconds left. Wagner was unable to convert on its final possession, sending the contest to overtime — its fourth extra-period game of the season.
In overtime, Jones tied the game at 72 with a basket in the paint with under a minute to play. After forcing a turnover on FDU's final possession, Wagner called timeout. Out of the break, Jones drove the length of the floor and kicked to Gray in the corner for the game-winning three at the horn.
The win marked Wagner's third overtime victory of the season and its second NEC win of the year.
Baker added 16 points, including several key baskets down the stretch, while sophomore
Binael Basil chipped in seven points and five rebounds.
The Seahawks won the battle on the glass, outrebounding the Knights 38–33, and converted 19-of-23 free throws on the afternoon. Wagner also finished with 18 points off turnovers and 14 bench points.
Wagner returns to action on Thursday, Feb. 5, hosting Le Moyne at 7 p.m. inside the Spiro Sports Center as NEC play continues.
