Wright State University
2-2
#10 Florida
3-1
Men Drop 78-65 Decision to #10 Florida
11/21/2011 5:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Despite a career-high 21 points from Julius Mays, the men's basketball team dropped a 78-65 decision to #10 Florida Monday at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa.
Johann Mpondo gave the Raiders an early 4-3 lead with a basket at the 17:30 mark before the Gators went in front to stay with eight straight points, five coming from Brad Beal. Florida gradually built on the margin from there and led 44-29 at the half.
Wright State shot 43 percent in the opening 20 minutes, including four of 10 from three-point range, but the Gators shot 47 percent overall, were eight of 16 from behind the arc and were six of nine at the foul line.
WSU cut the deficit to nine twice in the second half, the second being 66-57 following a Mays three with 5:06 remaining. Wright State, however, could get no closer the rest of the way.
The shooting percentages for the game were nearly identical as Florida shot 45 percent compared to the Raiders' 43 percent. The Gators, however, hit 12 of 27 three and 20 of 30 foul shots while WSU was seven of 22 and 12 of 18, respectively. Florida also held a 40-26 rebound advantage.
Mays led the way for the Raiders with 21 points, besting the 18 he scored while playing for North Carolina State against Maryland at the ACC Tournament in Atlanta on March 12, 2009. He was eight of 11 from the floor, includng three of five from three, and added five assists and three steals.
John Balwigaire chipped in 15 points and three steals off the bench for WSU while Reggie Arceneaux had 13 points and six assists.
Beal and Kenny Boynton each scored 22 points to pace Florida (3-1)
Wright State (2-2), now 1-2 in the Global Sports Shootout, wraps up tournament play at North Florida Wednesday at 7:00.
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