Wagner Thrills March Madness Fans by Beating Howard in Wild Finish; Sets Up UNC Clash

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIMarch 20, 2024

Ben Solomon/NCAA Photos via Getty Images

The NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament got off to a thrilling start Tuesday as Wagner held off a furious Howard charge to defeat the Bison 71-68 in the First Four.

Wagner led by as many as 17 points early in the second half, but Howard stormed back late and went on a 19-7 run capped by a Bryce Harris layup with 18 seconds left to cut the Seahawks’ lead to 69-68.

Howard was forced to foul and sent Julian Brown to the free-throw line. Brown calmly knocked down a pair, setting up a frenetic finish.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReportHoward missed three 3’s on the final possession to tie the game 😬 pic.twitter.com/DfBkJTLNU4

Jordan Hairston took a game-tying three-point attempt, but it was off the mark. Marcus Dockery grabbed the offensive board and passed back out to Hairston, who missed his second attempt.

Then Dockery grabbed another offensive rebound and went out to the three-point line himself, but his shot was off the mark, ending the game.

Melvin Council Jr. paced Wagner with 21 points, seven assists, five rebounds and two steals. Brown added 15 more for the Northeast Conference champions, who traveled a rocky road just to get here.

CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 @CBSSportsCBBWhat a journey it’s been for Wagner

-Finished regular season 13-15, got #6 seed in NEC Tournament

-Swept their way through tournament with only 7 active players

-Defeated Howard to earn first ever DI NCAA Men’s Tournament win pic.twitter.com/ScAsbz5kFt

Harris and Seth Towns paced Howard with 16 points.

Ultimately, this was a sensational game to kick off March Madness.

Jordan Stocks @StockTalks21Wagner. Howard. Thank you for an entertaining Game 1. Love it.

Jake Marsh @PMTsportsbizWOWWWWWWWWWW

WAGNER SURVIVES!

Howard misses a few INCREDIBLE looks to tie at the buzzer.

Thursday: (16) Wagner vs. (1) North Carolina

Tracy Wolfson @tracywolfsonWow! What a way to open the NCAA Tournament! Congrats @Wagner_MBB on being the first team to advance! #FirstFour

Mid-Major Basketball @midmajorballTURN ON TRUTV!! Wagner and Howard is coming down to the wire. Wagner leads by 1 with 17 seconds left and has the ball. This is Madness! #MarchMadness

Reeder Rankings @ReederRankingsWhat a start to the First Four between Wagner and Howard

Keeping It Heel @KeepingItHeelThis Wagner/Howard game got good real fast!

Adam Rittenberg @ESPNRittenbergDown to 1! First Four delivers again.

Michael DeRosa @MDtheDreamMan, Howard had two good looks at the buzzer. Brutal. Another great season under Coach Blakeney. Great group, just some tough bounces early. They never quit though, definitely can say they went down fighting. Congrats to Wagner.

Dana O’Neil @DanaONeilWriterDonald Copeland, a former @SetonHallMBB guard, has led his tough as nails team into a matchup with a blueblood. #JustSaying. What an incredible effort from Wagner. Undermanned all year

Pat Forde @ByPatFordeWagner, No. 68 of 68, wins a thriller to advance to the main bracket. NEC rules!https://t.co/hANjpN7LU8

Wagner will now face the North Carolina Tar Heels on Thursday at 2:45 p.m. ET in first-round action in Charlotte.