Wagner Seahawks Edge Chicago State Cougars 79-72
Friday, January 2, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · Jones Convocation Center
Wagner Seahawks 79, Chicago State Cougars 72, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Wagner Seahawks vs Chicago State Cougars?
Wagner Seahawks beat Chicago State Cougars 79-72 at Jones Convocation Center on January 2, 2026.
Who was favored in Wagner Seahawks vs Chicago State Cougars?
Wagner Seahawks were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -118 (about 54% implied). The favorite won.
In a closely contested matchup, the Wagner Seahawks triumphed over the Chicago State Cougars with a final score of 79-72 at the Jones Convocation Center. This game was particularly noteworthy as it showcased the contrasting fortunes of both teams, with Wagner riding a four-game winning streak while Chicago State has struggled, losing their last two games.
Wagner entered the game with a record of 6-6, having shown resilience in their recent performances. Over their last ten games, they maintained a record of 5-5, averaging 77.2 points per game while allowing 73.4. Their recent form includes victories against teams like the Manor Blue Jays and the Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks, indicating a solid offensive output. At home, Wagner has been dominant, boasting a perfect 4-0 record, while their away record stands at 1-5.
On the other hand, the Chicago State Cougars faced significant challenges this season, with a record of 2-12. Their last ten games resulted in a disappointing 2-8 record, with an average of 64.7 points scored and a staggering 78.9 points allowed per game. The Cougars' recent struggles included losses to the Indiana Hoosiers and the Bowling Green Falcons, and they have now lost their last two games. Their home record is slightly better at 1-1, but their away struggles are evident with a 1-7 record.
The two teams had met previously in the 2025 season, splitting their two encounters. Wagner won the first matchup 64-52 on January 4, while Chicago State claimed victory in the return fixture on February 22, winning 52-64. This history added an extra layer of intrigue to the game, as both teams sought to assert their dominance in the series.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details, but the overall performance of both teams indicated that they were fielding their regular lineups, which contributed to the competitive nature of the game. The betting lines from DraftKings indicated a close contest, with Wagner favored by 1.5 points and a total set at 146.5. The odds for the moneyline were -102 for Chicago State and -118 for Wagner, reflecting the tight nature of the matchup.
The game conditions were typical for indoor basketball, with no adverse weather impacting play. Fans were treated to a spirited contest that featured a series of scoring runs from both teams. In the second half, key plays included Binael Basil making crucial free throws that extended Wagner's lead and a series of layups and jump shots that showcased their offensive capabilities.
As the game progressed, viewers could observe the intensity of the competition, particularly in the final minutes as both teams fought for every point. Wagner's ability to capitalize on free throws and maintain composure under pressure proved decisive in securing their victory. The final score of 79-72 not only reflects the competitive nature of the game but also highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Chicago State as they continue to seek improvement in a tough season.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | WAG -1.5 | 146.5 o -110 / u -110 | Wagner Seahawks -118 · Chicago State Cougars -102 |
Leaders
- PointsCJ Ray13Chicago State Cougars
- AssistsBraelon Bush5Chicago State Cougars
- ReboundsMarcus Tankersley6Chicago State Cougars
- PointsNick Jones17Wagner Seahawks
- AssistsNick Jones5Wagner Seahawks
- ReboundsJohn Awoke8Wagner Seahawks
Recent form
Chicago State Cougars
Last 10: 2-8Streak L264.7 scored · 78.9 allowed per game1-1 at home
- L58-78at Indiana HoosiersDec 20
- L55-76at Bowling Green FalconsDec 17
- W84-75at Loyola Chicago RamblersDec 14
- L53-95at Illinois State RedbirdsDec 7
- W85-62vs Saint Xavier CougarsDec 1
- L64-87at Youngstown State PenguinsNov 28
- L77-90at Purdue Fort Wayne MastodonsNov 26
- L54-93at Iowa HawkeyesNov 21
- L54-66at Minnesota Golden GophersNov 19
- L63-67vs UIC FlamesNov 15
Wagner Seahawks
Last 10: 5-5Streak W477.2 scored · 73.4 allowed per game1-5 away
- W74-57vs Manor Blue JaysDec 22
- W78-64vs Maryland Eastern Shore HawksDec 18
- W95-93vs Bloomfield DeaconsDec 12
- W92-36vs Bryant & Stratton-Albany BobcatsDec 6
- L63-89at Maryland TerrapinsDec 3
- W103-101at Manhattan JaspersNov 26
- L75-92at Georgetown HoyasNov 22
- L70-71at UMBC RetrieversNov 16
- L61-63at Fordham RamsNov 12
- L61-68at Seton Hall PiratesNov 8
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Island University | 24-11 | - | 15-3 |
| Central Connecticut | 18-12 | 3 | 12-6 |
| Mercyhurst | 17-17 | 5 | 10-8 |
| Le Moyne | 15-17 | 5 | 10-8 |
| New Haven | 14-17 | 6 | 9-9 |
| Wagner | 14-17 | 7 | 8-10 |
| Stonehill | 12-21 | 7 | 8-10 |
| Fairleigh Dickinson | 11-21 | 7 | 8-10 |
| Saint Francis | 7-24 | 10 | 5-13 |
| Chicago State | 7-25 | 10 | 5-13 |
Box score
| Stat | Wagner Seahawks | Chicago State Cougars |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 25-53 | 21-59 |
| Field goal % | 47 | 36 |
| Three-pointers | 7-16 | 7-17 |
| Three-point % | 44 | 41 |
| Free throws | 22-30 | 23-27 |
| Free throw % | 73 | 85 |
| Rebounds | 40 | 33 |
| Offensive rebounds | 12 | 12 |
| Defensive rebounds | 28 | 21 |
| Assists | 17 | 13 |
| Steals | 2 | 5 |
| Blocks | 3 | 4 |
| Turnovers | 8 | 5 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 1 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 5 | 9 |
| Fast-break points | 9 | 8 |
| Points in the paint | 26 | 22 |
| Fouls | 18 | 22 |
| Largest lead | 11 | 2 |
| Lead changes | 5 | 5 |
| Time in front | 93 | 2 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half50-47Nick Jones makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half51-47Nick Jones makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half51-49Braelon Bush makes driving layup
- 2nd Half53-49Binael Basil makes layup (Nick Jones assists)
- 2nd Half54-49Nick Jones makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half54-51Braelon Bush makes 19-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half55-51Binael Basil makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half56-51Binael Basil makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half56-52Stephen Byard makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half56-53Stephen Byard makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half57-53Travis Gray makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half60-53John Awoke makes 26-foot three point jumper (Nick Jones assists)
- 2nd Half60-54Corey Sands makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half61-54Nick Jones makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half61-57Braelon Bush makes 26-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half63-57Zavier Fitch makes layup (Nick Jones assists)
- 2nd Half63-58Braelon Bush makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half63-59Braelon Bush makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half64-59Nick Jones makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half64-60Marcus Tankersley makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half64-61Marcus Tankersley makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half66-61Nick Jones makes 2-foot dunk
- 2nd Half68-61Travis Gray makes layup
- 2nd Half68-62Dakari Thomas makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half68-63Dakari Thomas makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half68-64Daniel Zatsepin makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half68-65Daniel Zatsepin makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half70-65Nick Jones makes 14-foot jumper (Eddie Placer assists)
- 2nd Half70-66Marcus Tankersley makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half72-66Zavier Fitch makes layup (Eddie Placer assists)
- 2nd Half72-67CJ Ray makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half72-68CJ Ray makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half73-68Binael Basil makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half74-68Binael Basil makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half74-70Stephen Byard makes 3-foot hook shot
- 2nd Half75-70Nick Jones makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half76-70Nick Jones makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half76-72Doyel Cockrill III makes 9-foot floating jump shot (Braelon Bush assists)
- 2nd Half78-72Nick Jones makes layup (John Awoke assists)
- 2nd Half79-72John Awoke makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Chicago State Cougars, below favours Wagner Seahawks.
Venue
- Jones Convocation CenterChicago, IL
- Attendance114
- OfficialsBen Syroka, Cody Crum, Michael Brode
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond