Chicago. Ill. (January 2, 2026) — Chicago State men's basketball opened its NEC Conference slate with a spirited performance on Friday night, going toe-to-toe with Wagner College before ultimately falling 79–72 at the Emil and Patricia Jones Convocation Center.
The Cougars showed resilience and balance throughout the night, with multiple players stepping up in key moments to keep the game within reach.
CJ Ray led the way with 13 points, knocking down big shots to spark the offense, while
Marcus Tankersley added 12 points and provided steady leadership in the backcourt.
Braelon Bush delivered an efficient 9-point outing off the bench, giving CSU a lift with his energy and playmaking.
Chicago State's depth continued to shine, as the Cougars' reserves contributed 22 points and helped fuel several scoring runs that kept the home crowd engaged. CSU also excelled at the free-throw line, converting 23 of 27 attempts (85%), a key factor in staying competitive throughout the contest.
Defensively, the Cougars forced eight Wagner turnovers and held the Seahawks to just 30.8% shooting in the second half, showcasing the toughness and effort that have become hallmarks of this year's squad.
Despite trailing by as many as 11, Chicago State continued to claw back, trimming the deficit to single digits multiple times in the closing minutes. The Cougars' fight and composure set a strong tone for the remainder of conference play.
Chicago State returns to action on Sunday, January 4 as they host LIU in NEC Conference play at 1 p.m.
