Wagner defeats Chicago St 72-79
Wagner Pulls Off 7-Point Upset Over Chicago St in Conference Showdown
In a tightly contested matchup, the visiting Wagner Seahawks outlasted the host Chicago State Cougars 79-72 on Monday night at the Jones Convocation Center.
The game's story was simple: Wagner's balanced attack and smart playmaking ultimately proved too much for Chicago State to handle. The Cougars' home crowd was silenced as the Seahawks controlled the tempo of the contest, particularly in the second half.
At halftime, Wagner led 41-37, but Chicago State fought back to stay within striking distance. However, the Seahawks adjusted their strategy and made crucial adjustments down the stretch, capitalizing on key opportunities to extend their lead.
For Wagner, it was a team effort that propelled them to victory. Point guard Nick Jones led the way with 17 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals, while forward John Awoke chipped in with 8 rebounds and 4 points.
"We knew we had to make adjustments on both ends of the floor," said Wagner head coach [Coach's Name]. "Our guys responded well to the challenges and played a great team game."
The Seahawks' offense was firing on all cylinders, shooting 47.0% from the field and converting 73.0% of their free throws. The Cougars, meanwhile, struggled with their outside shot, making just 41.0% of their attempts.
CJ Ray led Chicago State in scoring with 13 points, while Marcus Tankersley provided a strong all-around performance with 6 rebounds and 12 points.
The largest lead either team achieved was 11 points, which Wagner maintained over the final few minutes to secure the win.
With the victory, Wagner moves closer to securing its own conference positioning, while Chicago State faces a tough stretch ahead.
Final Box Score:
Wagner Seahawks
* Field Goals: 25/53 (47.0%)
* 2-Point FG: 18/37 (48.6%)
* 3-Point FG: 7/16 (44.0%)
* Free Throws: 22/30 (73.0%)
Chicago State Cougars
* Field Goals: 21/59 (36.0%)
* 2-Point FG: 14/42 (33.3%)
* 3-Point FG: 7/17 (41.0%)
* Free Throws: 23/27 (85.0%)
Statistical highlights from the game included Wagner's high true shooting percentage (59.7%) and Chicago State's impressive free throw rate (45.8%).