In a thrilling March Madness showdown, the Wagner Seahawks clinched their inaugural NCAA tournament win, edging past the Howard Bison in a heart-stopping finish. Despite trailing by as much as 17 points in the second half, Howard staged a remarkable comeback attempt, only to be thwarted by a series of missed shots in the closing moments.
The Seahawks dominated for the majority of the game, establishing a commanding 38-27 lead by halftime. Their momentum carried into the second half, with forward Keyontae Lewis extending their advantage to 48-31 early on. However, Howard mounted a fierce resurgence, outscoring Wagner 41-33 in the latter half and narrowing the gap to just three points.
With three minutes and 10 seconds left on the clock, Howard’s Marcus Dockery ignited a pivotal rally with a clutch 3-pointer, followed by Seth Towns’ timely contribution from beyond the arc. Despite the pressure, Wagner’s Melvin Council Jr. rose to the occasion, finishing with a game-high 21 points and crucial baskets down the stretch.
In a dramatic finale, Howard’s Bryce Harris and Isiah Warfield kept the Bison within striking distance, but Wagner’s Julian Brown sealed the victory with critical free throws in the closing seconds. The win marks a historic milestone for Wagner, who will now face the formidable challenge of the top-seeded North Carolina Tar Heels in the upcoming round.
For Wagner, this triumph represents a long-awaited breakthrough in NCAA tournament history, with their last appearance in the Round of 64 dating back to 2003. As March Madness unfolds, the Seahawks have etched their name in the annals of college basketball with a memorable debut on the national stage.