Wagner Edges Howard to Gain School’s Initial Victory in NCAA Tournament’s First Four

Wagner's Melvin Council Jr. gestures during an NCAA Tournament First Four game against Howard in Dayton, Ohio, on March 19, 2024. Jeff Dean/AP Photo

DAYTON, Ohio—Wagner tipped off March Madness with the first NCAA Tournament victory in program history, getting 21 points from Melvin Council Jr., and holding off a late rally by Howard to win 71–68 in the First Four on Tuesday night.

The Northeast Conference champion Seahawks (17–15) advanced as the No. 16 seed in the West Region and will play top-seeded North Carolina on Thursday in Charlotte, North Carolina.