St Francis PA defeats Wagner 69-71
St Francis PA Upsets Wagner in Thrilling Conference Showdown
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In a back-and-forth affair, St Francis PA edged out Wagner 71-69 on the road at Spiro Sports Center, spoiling the hosts' homecoming and cementing their status as a force to be reckoned with in conference play.
The game was a true thriller, with both teams trading baskets and neither able to pull away. At halftime, Wagner led by two points, but St Francis PA responded with a 10-2 run to take control, leading by four heading into the final minutes of regulation.
Ahmad Harrison Leads the Charge for St Francis PA
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Ahmad Harrison was instrumental in the win, pouring in 16 points and grabbing six rebounds. The senior guard shot a blistering 62.5% from the field, including three of his five attempts from beyond the arc. His all-around effort was complemented by seven assists from Skylar Wicks, who also chipped in with six points and nine rebounds.
Zavier Fitch Makes a Difference for Wagner
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For Wagner, John Awoke led the way, scoring 12 points on 2-5 three-point shooting. His supporting cast, including Zavier Fitch and Nick Jones, struggled to keep pace with St Francis PA's offense. Fitch was a bright spot off the bench, grabbing seven rebounds and contributing seven points.
Advanced Statistics Reveal a Close Game
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The numbers tell the story of a hard-fought contest. Both teams shot well from beyond the arc, but Wagner's 3-point shooting (24.0%) ultimately proved to be its downfall. St Francis PA, on the other hand, took advantage of their opponents' struggles, connecting on 30.0% of their own attempts.
The rebounding battle was also closely contested, with both teams securing nearly equal numbers on the glass. In the end, however, St Francis PA's superior free throw shooting proved to be the difference-maker, as they converted 84.0% of their attempts compared to Wagner's 63.0%.
Context Matters
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This win marked a significant statement for St Francis PA, who remain in the hunt for conference supremacy. The loss drops Wagner to 2-4 in conference play, while St Francis PA improves to 3-2.
The outcome was far from unexpected, however. Both teams have been known to ebb and flow throughout the season, making this a true test of their mettle. As the postseason draws near, this matchup will be remembered as a thrilling example of a team's ability to close out games down the stretch.