Stonehill defeats Wagner 60-69
Stonehill Edges Wagner in Thrilling 9-Point Win
The Spiro Sports Center was the site of an intense conference showdown on Tuesday evening, as visiting Stonehill (AWAY) secured a hard-fought 69-60 victory over home-standing Wagner.
In a game that saw both teams exhibit strong defensive efforts, Stonehill's offense proved to be the difference-maker. After trailing by one point at halftime, the Skyhawks embarked on an impressive comeback in the second half, fueled by Davante Hackett's (20 points, 3-5 3PT) consistent shooting and Rex Sunderland's (6 assists) pinpoint passing.
The key turning point came in the third quarter, when Stonehill's rebounding margin began to shift in their favor. Ridvan Tutic's (12 points, 11 rebounds) dominance on the glass allowed his team to seize possession and limit Wagner's scoring opportunities.
As the clock ticked down, Wagner's Bineal Basil (12 points, 60.0% FG) continued to pose a threat from beyond the arc, but Stonehill's defense adapted effectively. The Skyhawks' ability to contain Basil and Zavier Fitch's (9 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists) scoring threats limited Wagner's offense to just 42.0% field goal shooting.
The final margin of nine points reflected the intensity and competitiveness of the contest, with both teams displaying a willingness to battle until the very end.
In the advanced statistics department, Stonehill's true shooting percentage (55.3%) was significantly higher than Wagner's (49.2%), while the Skyhawks' eFG% (52.8%) also edged their opponents' mark. The 28.1% OREB% margin in favor of Stonehill demonstrated the team's ability to secure crucial rebounds and limit turnovers, ultimately contributing to their victory.
For Wagner, a strong home-court performance was overshadowed by an inability to sustain momentum throughout the second half. Despite Basil's notable scoring display, his team struggled to overcome the deficit created early on.
The win moves Stonehill closer to its conference title aspirations, while Wagner will look to rebound from this tough loss in their next matchup.