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Wright State University Athletics

Grant Benzinger
Joseph Craven
84
Winner Wright State WRSTM 13-5, 5-0 HL
81
Northern Kentucky NKU-M 11-6, 4-1 HL
Winner
Wright State WRSTM
13-5, 5-0 HL
84
Final
81
Northern Kentucky NKU-M
11-6, 4-1 HL
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Wright State WRSTM 40 44 84
Northern Kentucky NKU-M 38 43 81

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Communications

Raiders Hold Onto First Place with Big Win at NKU

WSU wins at NKU 84-81 to stay Undefeated

The Wright State men's basketball team entered Thursday night's game at Northern Kentucky in an early-season tie for first place with the Norse.  The Raiders left the BB&T Arena in lone possession of first place with a league record of 5-0.

The Raiders, off to their best conference start ever, broke the Norse 13-game home winning streak with an 84-81 decision.  Grant Benzinger was hot early, and it continued throughout the night as he finished with his season-best 31 points.  Freshman Loudon Love had his third straight double-double and seventh of the season with 17 points and 10 rebounds.  Everett Winchester and Mark Hughes each added 10 points.

Wright State, 13-5 overall, has won six straight and nine of the last 10 games.  NKU is now 11-6, 4-1.  Northern Kentucky will visit the Nutter Center February 16.

GAME SUMMARY

First Half Highlights
  • The Raiders took a 40-38 lead into the locker room at halftime.
  • Benzinger was hot as he finished the first 20 minutes with 16 points off three threes
  • Love added a strong performance with eight points, five rebounds and two blocks
  • The Raiders had a 12-point lead at 24-12 after the Norse took a three-point early lead.
  • The Raiders shot 51.9% from the field, connecting on 14 of 27 shots overall.
  • NKU shot only 41.4% from the field
  • WSU had a narrow rebound lead 18-16.
  • Winchester came off the bench for six points and five boards.  Hughes had five points.
Second Half Highlights
  • The Raiders shot 60% in the second half and 55.8% overall from the field
  • Benzinger was just one point short of his career high 32 points at Georgia State last season.
  • Benzinger tied his career-high 11 free throws made.
  • NKU had four players in double figures, led by Lavone Holland II with 22 points.  Preseason Player of the Year Drew McDonald had 18 points.
  • Wright State outrebounded Northern Kentucky 32-29.
  • Cole Gentry ended with eight points and two steals.
  • Love has now made 10 straight free throws (3-3 at NKU; 7-7 at Oakland)
FACTS AND FIGURES
  • The Raiders outscored the Norse in the paint 40-32 as each team received 16 points from their bench.
  • WSU led for almost 27 minutes of the game with NKU holding the lead just over seven minutes total.
POST-GAME REACTION
  • "We took their best punch in the second half when we were down, and I was down to one timeout.  I told our guys to just take care of the ball but they wore us down.  I don't know how we survived, but we did."
                --WSU head coach Scott Nagy
  • "I knew the shot clock was getting low, so I knew I had to take the shot.  I just had a little hesitation, and I was able to get it up quick.  It's a shot I practice with Coach (Brian) Cooley all the time, so I expect to make those.  Of course, it helped make up for my turnover just before that.
                --WSU point guard Cole Gentry on big basket late in the game
NEXT UP
  • The Raiders host Youngstown State Monday at 4 pm. 
  • The Penguins are currently 5-12, 3-1 and will play at Detroit Mercy Friday night.  YSU lost at Oakland Wednesday night 95-82.
 




 
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