Wagner College pride was on full display when dozens of students attended a watch party on campus as the Seahawks took on the North Carolina Tarheels in the NCAA tournament Thursday.

“This has been really exciting. We’re very proud of the team for putting Wagner on the map. You know, everyone underestimates us, but here we are,” Lydia Mathai, a student, said.

The No.1 seed Tarheels got off to an early lead. The Seahawks managed to tie it in the first quarter, before the storied Tareels moved back into the lead. Six injuries left the Seahawks with a few subs, with seven players on the hardwood.

What You Need To Know

  • The No. 1 seed Tarheels got off to an early lead. The Seahawks managed to tie it in the first quarter, before the storied Tareels moved back into the lead

  • Six injuries left the Seahawks with a few subs, with seven players on the hardwood

  • The men’s’ team from Staten Island is coming off of its first NCAA tournament win ever, beating Howard University by three points Tuesday

“It’s amazing to see them play through that injury trouble, only having seven players in the tournament when they’re getting full court press. They’re in foul trouble, but their defense hasn’t slowed down at all. They really, you can see the energy they bring to every game. It’s really inspiring to see them play through that,” Christian Bruno, a student, said.

Despite the tough loss Thursday, the Staten Island team made history. The men’s’ team is coming off of its first NCAA tournament win ever, beating Howard University by three points Tuesday.

“Were only a school of like 1,400 kids or something like that. So, it’s a lot to see and see and everyone on TV. All the people that we see and hang out with on campus,” Alec Signorile, a student, said.

It was the Seahawks’ second appearance in the NCAA tournament. They received their first birth in 2003.

“We see the hard work that they put in, and so they’re just making our college really proud,” Mathai said.

Students said it’s not just exciting for the school but exciting for Staten Island.

“They really put Staten Island and Wagner on the map. Basketball team did amazing and we’re just so proud of them,” Umaila Hussain, a student, said.

In the end, the University of North Carolina won the game 90-62, but students said they are excited about the future.

“No one should be ashamed of this loss. It was a very, very good game. And I think that next year they’re gonna come back, and you know, ball is life, so they’re gonna be here. They’re gonna keep playing and they’ll never stop, no matter what happens,” Signorile said.