NEW YORK (AP)—Mark Porter scored 21 points, pulled down 10 rebounds and added nine assists as second-seeded Wagner defeated No. 7 LIU 71-62 in the quarterfinals of the Northeast Conference playoffs Thursday night.
Durell Vinson, who had 15 rebounds, James Ulrich and Jamal Smith each added 14 points for the host Seahawks (23-7,16-3).
Wagner will host No. 3 Sacred Heart on Sunday in the semifinals. The Pioneers advanced with an 84-71 win over No. 6 Central Connecticut
Jaytornah Wisseh scored a game-high 22 points for LIU (15-15, 7-12), which trailed 35-22 at halftime. Ron Manigault followed with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
After two foul shots by Ulrich gave Wagner a 53-43 lead at 8:10 of the second half, the Blackbirds stormed back with a 15-5 run, capped by a 3-pointer by Wisseh at 1:53 to tie the score 58-58.
Smith hit a 3-pointer to give the Seahawks the lead for good with 1:45 left.
