Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion Howard rose from the ashes to have several chances to tie in the final seconds, but fell just short as Northeast Conference champion Wagner survived the Bison 71-68 in Tuesday’s NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament First Four game in Dayton, Ohio.
The Seahawks (17-15) led by as many as 17 points (48-31) in the second half and led 67-54 with 4:10 to go before the Bison began their furious rally. Howard got three point shots from Seth Towns and Marcus Dockery and two free throws from Bryce Harris to pull within five points.
Melvin Council Jr., the game’s leading scorer with 21 points, put Wagner ahead 69-62 with a short jumper, but back-to-back layups by Isiah Warfield and a powerful drive to the rim and basket by Harris pulled the Bison within a single point with 17 seconds to go.
Julian Brown made two free throws to push the Seahawks ahead by three points, leading to the frantic final possession for Howard.
WHAT A FINISH!@Wagner_MBB SURVIVES and secures its first #MarchMadness win in school history
pic.twitter.com/X1sYRJdU21
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 20, 2024
Jordan Hairston missed a three-pointer long, Dockery collected the rebound and dished back out to Harris who’s second three fell short with some contact from the Wagner defender.
Harris grabbed the rebound and passed back out to Dockery, who’s final three-point attempt hit the front rim and bounced into Council’s hands as time expired.
Towns, in his final college game, and Harris each scored 16 points to lead the Bison (18-17). Dockery and Warfield each added nine points, with Warfield handing out a team-high four assists.
