The Wright State men's basketball team won its sixth straight game Wednesday night, but not without a major struggle as the Raiders and UIC Flames battled tooth and nail all night long before WSU pulled away in the overtime for a 74-64 Horizon League victory at the UIC Pavilion.

Neither team had more than a four-point advantage in the first half until UIC scored five uanswered points, including a Josh Mayo three, to go up 29-22 at the 3:13 mark. DaShaun Wood, however, scored the final five points of the period to draw the Raiders to within two at the break.

The second half was more of the same as the Flames led by as much as five twice, only to see Wright State tallied seven straight points to go up 39-37 with 12:49 remaining in regulation.

The contest was tied 16 times altogether in regulation until the Raiders looked to have the game won as they went up 58-55 with 36 seconds left on two Drew Burleson foul shots and a break-away layup by Wood as he came up with a block into the hands of Vaughn Duggins, who turned in midair and fed Wood for the score.

UIC's Robert Bush forced the overtime with a three from the left corner with 23 seconds remaining, but it would be Wright State that would control the extra period as Burleson put the Raiders in front to stay with a spin move for a layup off the left block and Wood made it 63-59 with a three.

Duggins then extended the margin to seven with another three on WSU's next possession and the Raiders sealed the win by hitting all six free throw attempts over the final 1:10.

Wright State shot 40 percent for the game, but hit four of five shots in the overtime, including both three attempts. UIC, meanwhile, shot just 32 percent altogether.

The Flames had a 48-42 rebounding edge and turnovers were nearly even as UIC had 10 to Wright State's nine, but the Raiders were able to take advantage, outscoring the Flames in points off of turnovers 14-3.

Wood nearly posted a double-double as he had 24 points and nine rebounds while Burleson had 13 points and seven boards, Duggins 13 points and six assists and Jordan Pleiman 11 points and six rebounds.

Othyus Jeffers recorded a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds to pace UIC (9-16, 4-8 Horizon) while Mayo and Jovan Stefanov each had 13, Bush 10 and Scott Vandermeer nine points along with 14 boards.

With the win, Wright State clinched at least the second seed in the upcoming Horizon League Tournament. It was also just the second time ever that WSU has won at the UIC Pavilion, the other being a 100-74 decision on January 4, 1999.

The Raiders, now 18-8 overall and 11-2 in the Horizon League, will have first place on the line Saturday night as WSU will host League leader and nationally-ranked Butler at the Nutter Center. Game time is 7:00.