The Wright State men's basketball team led by 14 early in the second half and was up one with 1:20 remaining, only to see Cal State Northridge score nine of the game's final 12 points to pull out a 72-67 decision Saturday night at the NIU Showcase in DeKalb, Illinois.

After the Matadors opened the scoring with a dunk, the Raiders responded with 12 unanswered points on four three-pointers, including two by JT Yoho.  WSU maintained the lead the remainder of the half, taking a 33-27 advantage into halftime following a Mark Alstork three in the final seconds.

Wright State shot 44 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes, including a blistering six of nine from three-point range, while Northridge shot 40 percent and was two of five from behind the arc.

The Raders started the second half with a 10-2 run, taking their biggest lead of the contest at 43-29 on a Grant Benzinger triple with 16:26 remaining.  The margin was 61-51 on a Yoho jumper at the 6:11 mark, only to see the Matadors rally to tie the score at 63 on a Micheal Warren basket with 1:50 to play.

Michael Karena hit one of two foul shot with 1:20 left to put WSU back in front before Northridge scored the next seven points to go up 70-64 with 18 seconds remaining. 

A Mark Alstork three drew the Raiders to within one possession at the 13-second mark, but Wright State would get no closer as two Warren free throws closed out the scoring.

Northridge shot 59 percent from the field in the second half and hit 18 of 23 free throws during that time, finishing 25 of 33 at the line overall. WSU, meanwhile, shot 46 percent after halftime, but was just five of nine at the striple for the game.

Benzinger hit five three-pointers to lead the Raiders with 15 points while Joe Thomasson had 14 points, eight assists and eight rebounds.  Alstork had 13 points off the bench while Yoho chipped in 13 as well.

Wright State (1-1) wraps up play at the NIU Showcase on Sunday as the Raiders take on host Northern Illinois at 4:30 Eastern.