Eight different Horizon League programs passed on playing Belmont twice this season. Wright State was the only league team that accepted the challenge.
It was not just enough for WSU to accept the challenge, it won the challenge.
Wright State completed the season sweep of perennial mid-major powerhouse Belmont with a 79-71 win in Nashville Thursday night. JT Yoho led the Raiders with 16 points.
“We’re excited. They have been to six (NCAA) tournaments in eight years,” Wright State head coach Billy Donlon said. “The Belmont guys were ready, they were locked and loaded. To be down for most of the game and to come back with the competitive fire, that was good.”
Spencer Turner stepped up in a big way for Belmont who was without key guards Taylor Barnette and Craig Bradshaw. Turner led all scorers with 23 in a losing effort for Belmont.
WSU got off to a slow start as the Raiders trailed in the first half by as much as nine. Belmont had a 36-32 halftime lead. The Raiders took advantage of a shorthanded Belmont squad in the second half.
WSU shot 17-of-27 from the field in the second half. On the 10 shots Wright State missed in the second half, the Raiders grabbed six offensive boards. Those six rebounds gave the Raiders 10 extra points.
Michael Karena scored 10 of his 12 points in the second half. His jumper with 9:28 left in the contest gave the Raiders their first lead of the contest at 55-54.
“First half, Karena was not very good, second half, he was dominant,” Donlon said. “We started throwing it into him from the top.”
After the Bruins regained the lead for over three minutes, Steven Davis hit a 3-pointer with 4:46 left. After Joe Thomasson hit a free throw, Turner tied the game with a 3 with 2:54 left.
Two WSU possessions later, Thomasson threw down a dunk with 2:14 left to give the Raiders a two-point lead. The Raiders never looked back as they finished the game on a 10-2 run.
Wright State improved to 6-4 on the season and have a 3-2 road record.
Greene County native Evan Bradds shot 4-of-5 for 11 points.
Wright State returns to action Sunday hosting Miami in the Nutter Center.
“Hopefully we can get rested,” Donlon said. “We have three guys who have 8 a.m. (Friday) finals. Get rested and ready for Miami. We know you can throw the record out against Miami.”
