For the third straight game, Wright State rallied from a double-digit deficit only to fall short late as the Raiders dropped a 76-67 decision to Oakland Wednesday night marking WSU’s sixth consecutive loss.
The Raiders have lost six in a row for the first time since the start of the 2008-09 season. WSU has also lost nine of its last 10.
Wright State freshmen Grant Benzinger and Justin Mitchell each had career scoring highs as Benzinger led all scorers with 31, while Mitchell scored 18.
“I think at the end, everyone had fresh legs but we didn’t make the plays to win,” Benzinger said.
Wright State dropped to 11-16 overall and 3-10 in conference play.
“One thing we emphasize is we don’t let our record affect how hard we work or how hard we are going to play that game,” Benzinger said.
The duo of Mitchell and Benzinger had to lead a WSU squad that was void of experience in the second half.
“You have to learn how to win,” Wright State head coach Billy Donlon said. “If we had won (last week against) UIC, won Youngstown, it would have helped. Oakland is a team that has learned how to win. A critical game was the one where they beat us at their place (on Jan. 28).”
Senior Chrishawn Hopkins left late in the first half with an apparent head injury. Fellow senior guard Reggie Arceneaux sat the second half as he has dealt with a lingering foot injury.
The injuries to Hopkins and Arceneaux left four freshmen, a junior college transfer and a walk-on to rally in the second half.
The Raiders, trailing by as many as 11, went on a 12-0 run to take a 49-48 lead with 14:34 left in the game. Despite having a trio of second half leads, WSU never led by more than one in the half.
“We were playing soft (in the first half),” Mitchell said. “Coach told me to go out their and rebound my butt off. We just have to player harder.”
Wright State led 55-54 when center Michael Karena had his fourth foul and came out of the game. From that point on, the game slipped away from the Raiders. Shortly after Karena’s fourth foul, Oakland went on a 9-1 run to put the game out of reach.
“I am not rolling the dice with 10:37 (left),” Donlon said. “Mike’s fourth foul was our difference because when he comes out, we can’t throw the ball to the box anymore. Oakland knows that, so we become easier to guard.”
The lack of depth for hindered the Raiders’ ability to sustain the rally.
“Our guys are fighting their tail off,” Donlon said. “Be really proud of the players for what they’re doing. Support them, please. Those kids have earned it, and I know they’ll get rewarded.”
The game featured 16 lead changes, many of which came in the first 10 minutes of the game. Oakland led for the final 10 minutes of the first half and closed the period with an 8-0 run. The Golden Grizzlies led at halftime 43-33.
“The effort was in the first half,” Benzinger said. “They got up by 10, but we picked it up in the second half, but by then, it was too late to maintain the lead. With the effort, we have to start with it and finish with it.”
Wright State returns to action Saturday when the Raiders visit Valparaiso, the Horizon League’s top team.
