Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Wright State University Athletics

Zach Thompson
Mark Hughes ended with three threes and five rebounds
63
Wright State WSU 6-7
67
Winner Mississippi State MS 11-1
Wright State WSU
6-7
63
Final
67
Mississippi State MS
11-1
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Wright State WSU 24 39 63
Mississippi State MS 35 32 67

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Communications

@WSU_MBB Pushes #17 Mississippi State in Upset Bid

Raiders fall 67-63 after outscoring Bulldogs 39-32 in second half

Down only one point with under two minutes remaining, the Wright State men's basketball team pushed #17 Mississippi State (11-1) to the brink before falling 67-63 Saturday night at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson, MS.

Playing without all-conference player Loudon Love due to an ankle injury, the Raiders were led by Bill Wampler with 19 points on four threes while Mark Hughes and Parker Ernsthausen each had 11 points as both connected on three threes.  Malachi Smith ended with eight points, and Cole Gentry seven.  WSU shot 44% from the field and were outrebounded 34-23.

The Raiders (6-7) ended their non-conference portion of the schedule and will open the Horizon League slate Dec. 28 at home against UIC (6-7).

First Half
The Raiders started off strong with leads of 2-0 and 5-2 but the Bulldogs had an 11-0 run to seal a 13-5 lead that grew throughout the half to 26-15 at the WSU timeout at 5:26.  Out of the timeout, Hughes hit a three and Smith made a layup to cut the lead.  Wright State stayed close and exchanged baskets as MSU led 35-23 at half.  Wampler and Ernsthausen each had six points while Smith pitched in five.  Ernsthausen grabbed a team-high four boards while Hughes had three.  The Raiders shot 40% from the field with 10 field goals and three threes while MSU hit shots at a 50% clip with four threes.

Second Half
Wampler's six points early in the second period helped WSU cut the lead to just six at 39-33.  With a three by Hughes and a field goal by Smith, the Mississippi State lead dwindled to 41-38 by the first media timeout.  After the timeout, Smith converted a three-point play with a free throw to make the score 41-39, and the Raiders drew within one at 43-42 after a three by Wampler.  The Bulldogs turned a 10-0 run into a 53-42 lead.  WSU grew closer again at 55-52 as they had their own 10-2 run with a Wampler three and a Hughes dunk.  A three from Ernsthausen tied the score at 55 with 5:56 remaining.  At 2:25, Ernsthausen hit two free throws to cut it to 60-59 but MSU came on to win 67-63 as Gentry hit a three at the buzzer.  Wampler had 13 points while Hughes had eight as WSU shot 53% from three with eight from behind the arc in the final 20 minutes.

Nagy Says
"We were tough on defense and forced them out of their comfort zone, especially in the second half.  We need to believe in the first half like we do in the second half.  We had to play differently and play slower without Loudon.  I have no interest in losing a game, but it is commendable how hard our team is playing and practicing.  It will pay off for us."

Next Up
The Raiders start the Horizon League portion of the schedule as they welcome UIC to the WSU Nutter Center Dec. 28 at 7:00 PM.

Milano's
Milano's Beavercreek is your home game party headquarters - bring your ticket there, or to any Milano's location, before or after the game for 25% off your food order!"

Follow the Raiders
Fans can listen to Chris Collins and Jim Brown make the call of each game on Big 106.5 FM and the iHeart App.  The iHeart app is easy to download and use.  Just go to the App Store for Android or iPhones and select the iHeart App for free.  Once it's downloaded, you can search and bookmark Big 106.5 for the games and WONE 980 AM for the shows.  It's that simple, and you won't miss a minute of the action.

Tickets
For ticket information click here or call 937-775-4934.  Ask about special ticket packages or click here.

Coaches Shows at Flyboys
The Wright State men's and women's Coaches Shows will return Jan. 7 at Flyboys Deli in the Fairfield Mall.  Men's head coach Scott Nagy will be on at 6 pm.  Women's coach Katrina Merriweather will be on at 5:30 pm.  Fans can come by for delicious food or tune in WONE, 980 AM or use the iHeart App.  It will also be streamed live through wsuraiders.com.

 
Print Friendly Version