The Wright State men's basketball team will go dancing for the first time since 2007 as they captured the 2018 Little Caesars Horizon League Championship in Detroit Tuesday night with a 74-57 win over Cleveland State.

Grant Benzinger, named MVP of the Tournament, led the way with 19 points, nine rebounds and three steals while freshman Loudon Love, also named to the All-Tournament Team, had nine points and 12 boards.  Cole Gentry and Jaylon Hall each added 11 points.

This is the third NCAA Division I Tournament appearance for the Raiders as they won the 1993 Mid-Continent Conference title over UIC and the 2007 Horizon League title over Butler.  This is the first conference championship away from WSU's Nutter Center.  The Raiders are 25-9, a new program record for division I wins at Wright State. 

GAME SUMMARY

First Half Highlights

• The Vikings led much of the first 10 minutes of the first half until Jaylon Hall hit a three to tie it at 17.
• A Mark Hughes three gave the Raiders a 22-21 lead.
• WSU's 13-2 run over six minutes led to a 27-21 Raider advantage, including a three pointer from Parker Ernsthausen.
• Wright State led 34-26 at halftime.
• Spread out scoring included everyone: Benzinger nine, Hughes six, Hall, Ernsthausen and Gentry with five each.
• Love had nine rebounds.

Second Half Highlights

• The Raiders outscored the Vikings 40-31 in the second 20 minutes.
• WSU shot 52% from the field, going 16 of 31.
• Benzinger collected 10 of his points with two threes.
• Love had seven of his nine points in the second half.
• Wright State had 20 rebounds while CSU had 12.

FACTS AND FIGURES

• Love set a new freshman scoring record previously owned by Bill Edwards in 1990.
• Wright State outscored the Vikings in the paint 34-22 and 17-8 off the bench.
• Cleveland State's largest lead was five midway through the first half as WSU had its biggest lead of 18 late in the game.
• The Raiders shot 43% from the field and CSU shot 40%.
• Wright State won the boards 40-30.

NEXT UP

• The Raiders will await word on their next game on Selection Sunday.