Preview: Long Island Sharks at Wagner Seahawks

NEW YORK (Interstat) — A Northeast Conference women’s basketball matchup with postseason implications is set for Thursday when the Long Island Sharks visit the Wagner Seahawks at Spiro Sports Center.

Long Island (18-10) enters looking to solidify its standing and avenge a January loss to Wagner. The Sharks have dropped two of their last three, including an 82-49 road defeat at Fairleigh Dickinson on Saturday. Guard Solangelei Akridge, a key player to watch, logged 40 minutes and scored 12 points in that loss. Over her last eight games, Akridge has been a steadying force, averaging 8.4 points and 3.9 assists, including a 17-point, 5-rebound, 4-assist performance in a Feb. 14 overtime win over New Haven.

Wagner (13-15) seeks to climb back to .500 in conference play and complete a regular-season sweep of the Sharks. The Seahawks are coming off an 84-75 loss at Chicago State on Saturday, despite a 22-point effort from guard Keana Foz. Foz has been on a scoring tear, averaging 15.4 points over her last seven contests and posting 20 or more points in two of her last three outings.

The Seahawks won the first meeting this season, 59-54, on Long Island on Jan. 24. In that game, Wagner held the Sharks to 32.8% shooting from the field.

The matchup pits Long Island’s stronger overall record against a Wagner team that has proven capable at home, having won three of its last four at Spiro Center. The Sharks will need to improve their offensive efficiency after shooting just 29.1% in their recent loss to FDU. Wagner will look to leverage its home court and the scoring momentum of Foz to secure a pivotal conference victory.

Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST on Thursday, March 5.