Down by as much as 11 points mid-way through the second half, the Wright State men's basketball team came back to post a 68-64 win over Green Bay Thursday night at the WSU Nutter Center.

Mark Hughes started off strong and had a double-double in the first half before ending with 13 points and a career-best 14 rebounds.  Grant Benzinger was quiet for the first 27 minutes of the game just to explode to finish with 22 points to lead all scorers.  Freshman Jaylon Hall came off the bench to collect 16 points and three steals.

Wright State is now 19-7, 11-2 and tied for first place in the Horizon League with Northern Kentucky.  Green Bay falls to 10-17, 5-9.

GAME SUMMARY

First Half Highlights

• The Raiders went cold after leading by as much as eight points at 11:08 as the Phoenix came back to lead 25-19 going into the locker room.
• Wright State's highlight in the first half was the play of Hughes with a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds in 18 minutes.
• Both teams shot below 30% with WSU at 24% and GB at 29%.
• The Raiders outrebounded the Phoenix 25-18.

Second Half Highlights

• Down 47-36 with 10:52 remaining, the Raiders went on a 12-0 run to take the lead.
• Green Bay took back the lead  as the Raiders came back once again and did not relinquish it for the remainder of the game.
• Benzinger made a layup at 12:50 and scored 20 more points in the remaining 12-plus minutes, including four three pointers.
• WSU outscored Green Bay 49-39 while shooting 40% from the field.

FACTS AND FIGURES

• Green Bay outscored the Raiders in the paint 20-16 but WSU had the advantage off turnovers 17-12 and second chance points 15-6.
• The Raiders' bench outscored the Phoenix 16-14.
• Wright State shot 33% and finished with 10 threes, seven in the second half.

POST-GAME REACTION

"I think I had some good luck tonight, and the ball bounced to me more than usual.  I felt that the team needed that tonight, and I am just happy with the win."
        --Mark Hughes

"You don't want to force bad shots because bad shots are just outlet passes for the other team.  They have very good players.  He (Mark Hughes) said it was all luck, but it seemed like he climbed a ladder some how.  He just needs to do that every game now to take pressure off the other guys."
        --Grant Benzinger

"I am really proud of the kids.  When things didn't go well offensively, and it was most of the night, we used some defense.  It certainly was not offense that won the game.  I am really proud of Jaylon Hall and how he came back after that bad first half.  It would have been easy for him to fold up the tent and go home."
        -WSU head coach Scott Nagy

NEXT UP

• The Raiders will host Milwaukee Saturday at 7 pm
• The Panthers are 13-14, 6-8 after losing at Northern Kentucky Thursday night 54-52.
• Wright State lost at Milwaukee 66-61 earlier in the season.