Wagner beats Central Connecticut State 87-77

NEW YORK (AP) Kenneth Ortiz led five Wagner players in double figures with 16 points and the Seahawks defeated Central Connecticut State 87-77 in the quarterfinals of the Northeast Conference tournament on Thursday night.

The Seahawks (25-5) shot 50 percent from the field (30 of 60), helped by 44 points in the paint and 28 points off 19 turnovers.

Tyler Murray and Chris Martin added 15 points each and Jonathon Williams and Mario Moody scored 10 apiece for Wagner, which avenged a 78-61 loss to CCSU in its previous game on Feb. 25.

Josh Thompson tallied four steals for the second-seeded Seahawks, who finished with 13.

Wagner, which snapped a three game skid in tourney play, will face Robert Morris in the semifinals on Sunday.

Ken Horton led the seventh-seeded Blue Devils (13-16) with 25 points. Kyle Vinales added 16 points and Robby Ptacek 10.

Updated March 1, 2012