Staten Island, N.Y. (Nov. 26, 2011) ---Jonathan Williams led all players with 19 points and 10 rebounds to propel Wagner to an 85-62 win over Delaware State at the Spiro Center this afternoon.
The Hornets fell to 2-3 on the season, while the Seahawks won their fourth straight to improve to 5-1.
Tahj Tate was high scorer for the Hornets with 17 points. Marques Oliver added 15 points, a team-high eight rebounds and five blocks. Jay Threatt contributed 14 points and a team-high three assists for DSU.
Delaware State had a team-record 15 blocks in the contest. The previous record was 12 during the 1989-90 season. Kendall Gray also had five blocks in the contest, giving him 15 in the last three games.
Wagner scored the first five points of the game before DSU came alive. Keyed by two three-pointers by Tate, the Hornets scored 10 of the next 14 points to take their first lead. Threatt capped off the run with two free throws to give Delaware State a 10-9 lead with 16:39 left in the first half.
The teams traded baskets over the next five minutes before the Hornets pulled ahead 19-17 on a lay up by Marques Oliver with 11:17 left in the half.
Wagner led 26-25 before taking control of the game. The Seahawks outscored the Hornets 23-7 over the last 6:11 of the first half to hold a 49-32 lead at the break.
The Seahawks were 5-for-7 from the field, including three three-pointers, and 11-of-11 at the free throw line during the decisive first half spurt.
Tate went down with an apparent shoulder injury with 15:17 left in the half. He returned to the floor about two minutes later, but sat out the last 10 minutes of the opening period. Tate played the entire second half, scoring 11 points in the final 20 minutes.
Delaware State went on a brief spurt after falling behind 59-38 early in the second half. Oliver hit a basket, while Gray and Threatt converted three-point plays on consecutive possessions to key the rally. Threatt's lay up and free throw following steal pulled the Hornets to within 59-46 with 12:22 left to play.
Wagner answered with a 14-1 run to regain control. Tyler Murray capped off the run with a three-point shot to give the Seahawks a 73-47 lead with 5:48 remaining.
Delaware State was 21-for-58 from the field (36.2%), including 5-of-15 on three-point attempts (33%). The Hornets were 15-of-21 at the free thriow line (71.4%). DSU committed a season-high 15 three-point field goals in the contest.
Wagner was 29-of-64 from the floor (45.3%) The Seahawks were 7-for-18 from beyond the arc (38.9%) and 20-for-21 at the line (95.2%).
The Hornets were outrebounded 40-35 in the contest. .
The Hornets return to action on Tuesday (Nov. 29) at home against Eastern Kentucky. Game time is 7:00 p.m. in Memorial Hall.
