STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The Wagner College men's basketball team dropped a hard-fought 71–69 decision to defending NEC champion Saint Francis on Thursday night inside the Spiro Sports Center.

The game featured 10 ties and 11 lead changes, with neither team leading by more than seven points, as Saint Francis (4–12, 2–1 NEC) held off a late Wagner (6–8, 1–2 NEC) push to secure the road victory.

Saint Francis took a 39–37 advantage into halftime after closing the opening period on an 11–6 run. Wagner responded early in the second half, tying the game at 39–39 on a layup by sophomore Binael Basil just 15 seconds in, setting the tone for a tightly contested final 20 minutes.

The Seahawks briefly regained momentum midway through the half, using a fast-break three from junior John Awoke and a layup from redshirt freshman Makhai Anderson to build a 60–53 lead with 10:30 remaining. Saint Francis answered with a decisive response, going on a 14–5 run to take a 67–65 advantage with 2:32 left.

After the teams traded baskets down the stretch, Saint Francis pushed its lead to four with under a minute remaining. Basil converted a layup with 36 seconds left to pull Wagner within two, but the Seahawks were unable to convert on their final possession as time expired.

Basil finished with 10 points and five rebounds on a perfect 4-for-4 shooting performance, while Awoke led Wagner with a team-high 12 points. Redshirt senior Jaden Baker added nine points and four assists, and junior Bryan Akanmu chipped in eight points off the bench.

Wagner outrebounded Saint Francis, 38–30, and outscored the Red Flash in the paint, 40–34, but the visitors capitalized at the free-throw line, converting 16-of-19 attempts.

The Seahawks fall to 6–8 overall and 1–2 in NEC play. Wagner will look to bounce back on Saturday, January 10, when the Green & White host Mercyhurst for a 1:00 p.m. tip-off inside the Spiro Sports Center.