Francis helps Wagner tie for 1st in NEC, top Colonials 62-49

Jan 20, 2018, 11:24 pm

NEW YORK -- Blake Francis scored 19 points, sparked a breakaway run in the second half and Wagner climbed into a first-place tie in the Northeast Conference with Robert Morris, defeating the Colonials 62-49 on Saturday.

Each team is 6-2 in conference, a game up on the field.

Francis scored eight of his points in a 16-5 run as Wagner (13-6) broke open a six-point game to lead by 18, 56-38, with 5:40 remaining. The Colonials were held to 2 of 13 from the field, including 0-for-7 shooting from 3, during the more than seven-minute stretch.

Robert Morris (12-9) was held to eight baskets in 35 tries in the second half and finished the game shooting 27 percent (18 of 66).

JoJo Cooper and Romone Saunders scored 11 points each for Wagner, which has won five of its last six games. Cooper added 12 rebounds and eight assists.

The win gave sixth-year coach Bashir Mason his 100th at Wagner.

Koby Thomas led the Colonials with 16 points and 12 rebounds.