NCAA Tournament: University Prep grad Melvin Council Jr. leads Wagner to opening win
DAYTON, OHIO – Melvin Council Jr., a one time University Prep (New York) star, poured in 21 first half points, grabbed four rebounds and dished out seven assists to lead Wagner to a 71-69 First Four victory over Howard in the 2024 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament opener, Tuesday evening.
Council set the tone in the first half when he scored 13 points to help the Seahawks build a 38-27 lead. Howard made a run in the second half, but Wagner never relinquished the lead.
Melvin Council Jr.
Council came to Wagner after earning NJCAA Division I All-American during two seasons at Monroe College. H led Monroe with 18.7 points, 4.1 assists, and 2.4 steals per game in 2022-23. In two seasons for the Mustangs, he scored exactly 1,400 points, most all-time in the history of the Monroe program. He also averaged 21 points, 5.5 assists, and five rebounds in two games at the 2023 NJCAA Division I Championship tournament.
His 13 points in Tuesday's first half was just shy of his 14.6 points per game season average. He is also averaging 3.4 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 1.4 steals. Council hit 6-of-9 shots in the first half against Howard including a three-pointer which he launched from just inside mid-court.
