STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The Wagner College men's basketball team continues NEC play at home on Saturday, January 10, hosting Mercyhurst for a 1:00 p.m. tip-off inside the Spiro Sports Center. The game will be streamed on NEC Front Row with Joey Wahler and Ryan Peters on the call.
Saturday's contest marks the third all-time meeting between the programs, with Mercyhurst claiming both matchups during the 2024–25 season.
Mercyhurst (6–10, 1–2 NEC) enters the weekend following a narrow 60–58 road loss at LIU. The Lakers are led by head coach Gary Manchel, who is in his 23rd season at the helm. Mercyhurst ranks first in the NEC in scoring defense, allowing just 66.5 points per game, while sitting eighth in scoring offense at 66.8 points per contest. Graduate student guard Bernie Blunt III leads the Lakers with 16.0 points per game, ranking fourth in the conference, and was named to the Preseason All-NEC Team. Mercyhurst was picked to finish fourth in the NEC Preseason Coaches Poll. The Lakers are in their second season at the NCAA Division I level and are ineligible for the NEC and NCAA Tournaments.
Wagner (6–8, 1–2 NEC) enters Saturday's matchup following a 71–69 setback to Saint Francis on Thursday night. Sophomore
Binael Basil finished with 10 points and five rebounds on a perfect 4-for-4 shooting performance, while junior
John Awoke paced the Seahawks with a team-high 12 points. Redshirt senior
Jaden Baker added nine points and four assists, and junior
Bryan Akanmu contributed eight points off the bench. The Seahawks lead the NEC in rebounding (39.8 rebounds per game), with
Zavier Fitch averaging 6.8 boards per contest, ranking sixth in the conference. Wagner also ranks third in the league in scoring offense (75.3 ppg) and fifth in assists per game (14.4).
Nick Jones leads Wagner in scoring at 13.8 points per game, ranking ninth in the NEC, while Baker averages 3.8 assists per contest, tied for third in the league.
Saturday's contest will also serve as Military and First Responders Appreciation Day, with all active and retired military members and first responders receiving free admission.
Following Saturday's matchup, the Green & White will continue conference play on Saturday, January 17, traveling to conference newcomer New Haven for a 1:00 p.m. tip-off in West Haven, Connecticut.
