Imariagbe’s double-double paces Raiders to Saturday victory

Saturday, January 24

Dayton, OH

1 PM

Wright State University

13-8,8-2Horizon

Northern Kentucky

14-8,6-5Horizon

Northern Ky.

Wright St.

Photo by: Joseph Craven

Imariagbe’s double-double paces Raiders to Saturday victory

1/24/2026 4:15:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

DAYTON – Four players tallied double-digit scoring afternoons, led by Michael Imariagbe's 24-point, 11-rebound double-double, as the Wright State men's basketball team downed Northern Kentucky 88-80 on Saturday afternoon inside the Nutter Center.

Wright State (13-8, 8-2 Horizon League) led for over 35 minutes on Saturday to bounce back after having its seven-game winning streak snapped on Wednesday. The Raiders now prep for a two-game trip to Wisconsin next week, beginning next Friday night at Milwaukee before taking on Green Bay next Sunday afternoon.

Saturday, the Raiders used a 16-4 run midway through the first half to jump out to a 17-point lead on Northern Kentucky (14-8, 6-5 Horizon League) before taking a 48-36 advantage into the halftime break. Wright State used another big run, this time tallying 11 of 15 points over a three-minute stretch, to push to a 67-52 lead with 12 minutes remaining.

Northern Kentucky cut the Raider lead to seven with five minutes to play, but Wright State responded with the next four points, and five of the next seven overall, to remain in control and close out the victory.

Wright State finished the afternoon 29-of-36 at the free throw line (81 percent), including going to the stripe 28 times over the final 20 minutes. The 36 free throw attempts are the most the Raiders have had since going to the line 38 times in an overtime win at Cleveland State in January 2024.

Imariagbe went 7-of-10 from the floor while hitting 10-of-12 free throws on the way to his 24 points, his most in a Raider uniform and just five shy of his career best as he notched his second double-double of the season. Michael Cooper notched his fourth game with 20-plus points as he finished with 14 of his 21 points in the second half, while TJ Burch filled his stat line with 16 points, four steals, three assists and three rebounds. Dominic Pangonis was the final Raider in double figures with 12 points as Kellen Pickett added nine points, six rebounds and three blocks.

The Raiders shot an even 50 percent (27-of-54) on Saturday, connecting on four of their five three-pointers in the first half (5-14, 36 percent) in addition to the free throw shooting display. Wright State forced Northern Kentucky into 14 turnovers, resulting in 21 points, while also winning the battle on the boards 33-26. Northern Kentucky ended the afternoon shooting 55 percent (32-of-58) with five three-pointers as well (5-21, 24 percent) and a 69 percent mark at the free throw line (11-of-16).

Dan Gherezgher finished with 30 points to lead four Northern Kentucky players in double figures, as Donovan Oday and LJ Wells each had 14 and Tae Dozier added 10 points in the loss for the visitors.