Wagner may not be the scrappy underdog anymore, but the Seahawks certainly still play like it.
Using a seemingly endless amount of energy, Wagner put together an inspired defensive effort in last night’s 80-69 win over Robert Morris at the Spiro Sports Center in Staten Island.
With their third straight win, Wagner (18-4, 9-2 NEC) has accomplished as much in 12 weeks as it had in the previous two seasons, matching the combined win totals from those seasons. The Seahawks, winners of 11 of their past 12 games, are tied in the conference with St. Francis of Brooklyn and remain one game behind LIU-Brooklyn for first place.
“Through 22 games, I think it’s a remarkable story what these kids have accomplished,” coach Dan Hurley said. “What we’re learning to deal with now is when people play us, it’s becoming a big game. It’s always a big game for us, but it’s becoming a big game for the people we play.
“We’re learning to be prepared to fight night in and night out and having a little bit of a target because of the success on the court and the publicity,’’ Hurley said. “I’m sure these teams are tired of reading about us. I think we’ve got a little bit of a target on us, but we’ve got players I think that relish it.”
No player enjoyed the challenge more than Latif Rivers. The sophomore guard led Wagner, tying a season-high 28 points, by willing his way to the foul line, making 15 of 17 shots and adding three 3-pointers. Senior Tyler Murray added 10 points and four steals.
“I was just trying to play my game, just doing what my team needed,” Rivers said. “I think that my teammates were just getting me the ball in the right spots, and I was able to convert.”
His teammates also helped without the ball, utilizing pressure defense and controlling the glass. The Colonials (16-8, 7-4) were immediately in trouble, opening the game in a 14-2 hole. Robert Morris missed 11 of its first 12 shots, and leading scorer Velton Jones was held to nine points on 2-of-15 shooting.
“It was essential for us to get off to a good start being that the last time we played here we weren’t at our best,” Hurley said. “The defensive intensity was great. To hold a guy like Velton Jones to 2-for-15, Kenny [Ortiz’s] defense was huge. Our perimeter defense has been real strong this year. Kenny did a great job of being there and making him make tough shots.”
Wagner led from start to finish, taking a 44-30 lead into the half, and didn’t face any real pressure until Robert Morris’ Lucky Jones hit back-to-back 3-pointers, the latter resulting in a 4-point play, to cut the lead to 71-64 with 2:41 left in the game.
It was the first time the lead had reached single-digits in the second half, but Wagner’s composure at the free-throw line, where the Seahawks shot 34-of-40, prevented the game from becoming any closer.
howard.kussoy@nypost.com
