Kelly totaled 14 points, four assists and two steals for the Skyhawks (PHOTO BY Brian Foley)

Heyward leads four Seahawks in double-figures with 18 points

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. (January 19, 2023) – Wagner College maintained its position tied atop the Northeast Conference standings by holding off a third quarter Stonehill College rally with 77-percent shooting in the fourth quarter to secure an 84-63 victory in NEC women's basketball action at Spiro Sports Center tonight.

Senior Drayah Heyward led four Wagner players in double-figures with a game-high 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting, converting all four free-throws, with five assists, four rebounds, three steals and a blocked shot. Fifth-year Kem Nwabudu posted a double-double with 14 points and a game-high 12 rebounds, connecting on 6-of-18 shots, with two assists, while junior Alex Cowan contributed 16 points, two rebounds and two steals. Postgrad Zhaneia Thybulle rounded out the Seahawks in double-figures with 12 points and six assists.

Fifth-year Emily Bramanti led three from Stonehill in double-figures with 15 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals, while senior Mia Kelly registered 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting, with four assists and two steals. Postgrad Maddie Loder rounded out the Skyhawks in double-digits with 12 points, two boards and two assists, while fifth-year Sophie Glidden contributed a well-rounded nine points, seven rebounds, six assists and two steals.

Wagner finished shooting 59.3-percent from the floor, including 10-for-13 (76.9%) in the fourth quarter to answer a Stonehill rally in the third quarter that pulled the Skyhawks from a 15-point (43-28) halftime deficit to within five (53-48) after a layup from junior Jada Thornton with a minute remaining in the third.

Cowan capped the third frame with two free-throws to send Wagner into the fourth quarter with a seven-point advantage (55-48). The Seahawks scored the first seven points of the fourth, capped by a Nwabudu three-point play, to restore a 14-point cushion (62-48) and they wouldn't led Stonehill back inside double-digits the rest of the way.

Glidden notched a well-rounded nine points, seven boards, six assists and two steals (PHOTO BY Brian Foley)

Wagner jumped out to a 14-point (28-14) lead after a quarter and it made 11-of-17 shots (64.7%), including 4-for-6 (66.7%) from long distance, with Cowan leading the way with eight points in the frame. The Seahawks stretched their lead to as much as 18 (41-23) after a three-pointer from junior Julia Fabozzi with 3:17 to play in the first half, but Stonehill was able to build some momentum heading into second half as a Loder layup and Bramanti had the Skyhawks back within 13 (41-28), before Heyward capped the half with a pair of free-throws.

Stonehill used a 13-4 spurt to trim its deficit down the five (53-48) after the Thornton layup, with Kelly adding seven points during that stretch, including a three-point play.

Coach's Corner
"We faced an excellent defensive team that wears you down with their full court pressure," said Stonehill head coach Trisha Brown. "That being said, I was happy with our poise to get back in the game and cut their lead to five in the third quarter."

Noteworthy

• Stonehill held a 34-27 scoring advantage over the two middle quarters, but Wagner outscored the Skyhawks a combined 57-29 in the first and fourth frames.
• Wagner scored 26 points off 19 Stonehill turnovers.
• Stonehill finished shooting 41.4-percent (24-for-58) for the night, including 6-for-12 (50%) in the opening quarter and 8-for-12 (66.7%) during its third quarter rally, and recorded assists on 17 of its 24 field goals in the game.
• Bramanti scored in double-figures for the 12^th time over the last 13 games and has now scored 929 points in 99 career games played.
• Glidden led Stonehill in scoring for the tenth time this season – 19^th career.
• Loder reached double-figures in scoring for the second time over the last three games and 20^th time in her career, including her time at George Washington, with her eighth of the year overall.
• Stonehill and Wagner were playing for the first time.

Up Next
Stonehill (5-14, 1-5 NEC) is right back in action on Saturday to host LIU for its Alumnae Day Game at Merkert Gym at 2 p.m. Wagner (10-6, 5-0 NEC) visits Central Connecticut State University on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.

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