STATEN ISLAND, NY—Wagner took control of the game early against visiting NJIT from the tip and the Seahawks were never threatened on the way to a 76-53 victory over the Highlanders Wednesday evening in non-conference women's basketball at the Spiro Sports Center.

Wagner is 1-4 on the young season after opening season losses to Pittsburgh, Old Dominion, #7 Ohio State and Mississippi State.  The Highlanders, who entered the contest winners of their last two, drop to 2-4 on the season.

Junior guard Jasmine Nwajei, the nation's second-leading scorer a year ago, recorded her second career triple-double netting 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, while classmate Jackie Dluhi netted a career-best 17 points on 5-of-7 from three-point range.  Junior Alexis Smith, a transfer from Illinois playing her first season as a Seahawk, scored 12 of her 16 points from behind the arc, while junior forward Taylor Butigan combined for 11 points.

NJIT was led by junior forward Leah Horton's team-best 16 points fueled on 10-of-12 shooting from the free throw line.  Junior guard Alana Dudley scored 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting from the field and 3-for-4 from behind the arc.  Freshman guard Kelly Guarino netted all 12 of her points from three-point range while pulling down five rebounds.

After falling behind early, 13-6, to end the first quarter, the Highlanders rallied back to cut the deficit to three, 20-17, after a jumper by Alana Dudley.  Just as the Highlanders got back into the game, Wagner finished the second quarter on a 10-0 run, heading into the locker room with a 30-17 lead.

The Seahawks continued to stay in control in the third and fourth quarters and went on to win 76-53.

NJIT will visit Virginia, a long-standing power in women's basketball (since 1984, 24 NCAA bids, three Final Fours) on Saturday, December 5 at 7pm.