NEW YORK (Interstat) — In a game defined more by grit than grace, the Wagner women’s basketball team grinded out a 58-51 victory over Saint Francis (PA) on Saturday at Spiro Sports Center. The Seahawks used a dominant first quarter and relentless defensive pressure to overcome their own offensive struggles and secure a Northeast Conference win.

Wagner established control early, opening the game on a 19-6 run. The Seahawks’ defense was the catalyst, forcing eight Saint Francis turnovers in the first quarter alone and converting them into easy opportunities. Lijirin Doyinsola Modesayor, a 6-foot-3 forward from Nigeria, set the tone inside with six of her 13 points in the opening period, while Klea Kaci of Canada added a key three-pointer during the surge. The Red Flash, meanwhile, managed just 12 points on 4-of-15 shooting in the quarter, digging a hole they would spend the rest of the afternoon trying to escape.

The most important stretch of the game came late in the third quarter, just as Saint Francis threatened to make a decisive run. After cutting Wagner’s lead to 35-33 on a Shelby Ricks free throw with 5:09 left in the period, the Red Flash had momentum and possession. But the Seahawks’ defense again rose to the occasion, forcing a turnover on the ensuing inbounds play. That sparked a critical 8-0 Wagner run, capped by a Keana Foz driving layup and a transition basket from Priscila Varela off a steal, pushing the lead back to 43-33 and effectively stifling the Saint Francis rally. The Red Flash would get no closer than five points the rest of the way.

Saint Francis, which fell to 2-24 overall, was led by Shelby Ricks of Lakeland, Florida, who scored 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Makyiah Ward of Oxon Hill, Maryland, added 10 rebounds. But the Red Flash’s offensive woes were pervasive. The team shot just 25.4% from the field (15 of 59) and committed 26 turnovers, which Wagner converted into 23 points.

Wagner, which improved to 12-14, also struggled offensively, shooting 35% (21 of 60) and making only 11 of 19 free throws. However, the Seahawks won key statistical battles, holding a 13-6 advantage in assists and a 13-6 edge in steals. Their ability to generate offense from defense proved the difference.

Modesayor finished with a double-double of 13 points and nine rebounds for Wagner. Kaci also scored 13 points, dished four assists and recorded a block and a steal. Irene Fernandez de Caleya of Spain contributed 11 points and nine rebounds, while Foz filled the stat sheet with eight points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals.

For Saint Francis, Bati Assefa of Stockholm, Sweden, scored six points, Aleah James of Brooklyn, New York, added seven, and Giselle Eke of Fort Wayne, Indiana, pulled down six rebounds in just 12 minutes.

The game was a stark contrast to the teams’ first meeting on Jan. 8, when Saint Francis won 75-67. Wagner’s victory on Saturday, witnessed by 322 fans, was projected by Interstat’s ELO system, which gave the Seahawks an 81.6% probability to win.

Both teams continue NEC play on Thursday. Wagner travels to face New Haven, while Saint Francis (PA) hosts Stonehill.