Wright State came into the finale of the Marriott USC Upstate Classic 0-2 in the tournament and going against the host of the event who were unbeaten in the tournament. The Raiders came back from two tight losses by holding off the Spartans 56-51 Saturday.
The Raiders leave the tournament 1-2 for the event and 4-3 on the season. Wright State continues its six-game road trip at Evansville Tuesday.
The Raiders used a 14-1 run to start the second half to bolsters them to a win.
“When you lose two games the way we did where we could have won them both but we didn’t, and guys could have felt sorry for themselves,” WSU head coach Billy Donlon said. “To come back and beat the home team who was 2-0, and they wanted to win, and to hold them to what we held them to, I thought we did a good job."
Wright State got off to another slow start offensively. The Raiders trailed 25-18 15 minutes into the game. The Raiders rallied with a 7-0 run to tie the contest. The Raiders were unable to grab the lead going into halftime as USC Upstate took a 28-26 advantage into the half.
The Raiders took their first lead after Joe Thomasson hit a jumper followed by Michael Karena jumper at 30-28. USC Upstate did not get its first field goal of the second half until the 11:01 mark of the half. Karena and Thomasson helped sparked the Raiders to a 14-1 run. From the final five minutes of the first half, WSU went on a 22-4 run.
“Our defense really improved,” Donlon said. “It is a good win, I am happy for the guys. Thursday and Friday are over with, not like we’re thrilled that took place. To respond shows that we can handle some adversity and resiliency, which in the Horizon League, you have to do.”
