Last week, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame named Wright State guard Tay’ler Mingo to the Watch List for the 2015 Nancy Lieberman Award. She averages 23.6 points per game this season, which ranks third in the NCAA. She also is second in the nation in steals per game with 3.78.
“I’m really grateful for the recognition but without my teammates I probably wouldn’t get that recognition,” Mingo said. “They make me better.”
“I think she’s better than Kobe (Bryant),” Wright State guard Symone Denham said comparing Mingo to the Los Angeles Lakers All-Star guard. “She’s one of the best players I’ve ever played with. She has a way of controlling the game in a positive way and is an all-around great player.”
Last Thursday versus Youngstown State, Mingo led all players with 23 points, seven assists and seven steals.
Against Valparaiso last Saturday, the Raiders continued their high level of play by winning 95-66. Mingo led all scorers with 27 points and had a career-high 11 assists.
Wright State head coach Mike Bradbury said that there is no doubt that Mingo has carried the Raiders on her back ever since Preseason Horizon League Player of the Year Kim Demmings had a season-ending injury at the start of the season.
“People tried to knock this kid down forever and she just responds time and again,” Bradbury said. “She is as good as they come.”
Stucke continues run of double-doubles
Wright State Breanna Stucke played a key role in the Raiders two victories last week. She has collected three straight double-doubles and was selected as Horizon League Player of the Week for the last week of January.
Bradbury referred to Stucke as, “The glue that keeps us together.”
“Stucke has always been my go-to,” Mingo said. “All of her buckets are quiet; she rebounds the heck out of the ball and always works hard. I know I can count on her.”
Last Thursday against Youngstown State, Stucke had 10 points and 10 rebounds. Versus Valpo on Saturday, Stucke had 15 points and 12 rebounds.
Stucke has started in all 23 games for WSU despite having hack issues that causes her to seek treatment after games.
Up next, battle of the league’s top two:
The Raiders have won four straight games and will travel to Green Bay to battle the first place Phoenix. The Phoenix defeated Wright State on the road earlier in the year by a score of 68-59. The Raiders were outrebounded in the game by 12 leading to 16 second-chance points for Green Bay.
The Phoenix also outscored the Raiders in the paint by 12. Mingo led all players with 24 points, Stucke had 19 and Stanton led all players with 13 rebounds. Tip-off is at 8 p.m. Thursday.
