STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. (AP) — Naofall Folahan’s three-point play with 12 minutes left gave Wagner a lead it never relinquished and sparked a 14-2 run to seal an 84-70 win over three-time defending Northeast Conference champion Long Island-Brooklyn Saturday afternoon.
The Blackbirds eliminated Wagner from last year’s NEC tournament, 94-82.
Mario Moody led Wagner (8-7, 2-0 Northeastern) with 19 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 8 of 10 from the floor. Marcus Burton added 17 points off the bench and Dwaun Anderson contributed 12.
Jason Brickman drilled a 3-pointer with 12:54 left to pull LIU Brooklyn into a tie, 48-48, but the Blackbirds went scoreless for more than three minutes, missing a pair of layups and three 3-point attempts. The Blackbirds made 7 of 8 from the line but did not score another field goal until Landon Atterberry’s dunk with 5:40 remaining.
Brickman and D.J. Griggs each scored 12 points to lead LIU Brooklyn (5-10, 1-1).
