Wright State women’s basketball team extended their winning streak to three games after defeating Austin Peay 77-56 at the Nutter Center on Saturday, Nov. 21.
“They’re a good team, I think they’re talented,” Raiders head coach Mike Bradbury said. “With Gray and Banks, those kids are tough to handle. Gray had 37 against us last year.”
Neither team could gain much of an advantage in the first quarter as there were five lead changes with the Raiders holding the largest lead with four points which they held at the end of the quarter 17-13.
Sophomore guard JJ Williams scored seven points in the quarter as she made both of her 3 point attempts from the left corner and a free throw.
Junior guard Antania Hayes took a charge on the first possession of the second half but neither team scored until senior guard Kim Demmings made a short range jump shot 2:13 into the quarter to give the Raiders their largest lead at the time of six points.
The Governors responded with a 7-0 run in the next 2:12 led by center Falon Baker who had five points on the run. After losing the lead, freshman guard Mackenzie Taylor hit a 3 pointer to regain the lead for WSU but Governors guard Tiasha Gray answered with one of her own.
The Raiders closed out the half with a 9-4 run in the last four minutes to take a 31-29 lead into the locker rooms.
Banks tied the game at 31 to start the third quarter for the Governors but Demmings dominated the quarter for the Raiders as she scored 14 points and led WSU to a 56-42 lead headed into the final quarter.
The Raiders cruised their way to victory in the fourth quarter by outscoring the Governors 21-14 and gaining their largest lead of the night at 23.
“I thought we got good shots in the first half too,” Bradbury said. “We missed so many layups and open three’s. I think the only difference is that they went in. I think we played the same in the first half as we did in the second.”
Demmings led all scorers with 24 points while Banks provided a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds.
“It’s hard,” Bradbury said about defending Banks. “Not many people can do it. We did the best we could and she still got hers.”
“She’s hard to defend,” junior center Richelle van der Keijl said. “It’s hard to defend her so she got her scores but I think overall we did okay.”
The depth of the Raiders roster was on display as Hayes, Williams, and freshman guards Emily Vogelpohland and Mackenzie Taylor each scored nine points. Hayes grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds.
“We need those guys to be consistent and be able to do it on a daily basis,” Bradbury said.
Wright State (3-1) will be back in action at the Nutter Center on Monday, Nov. 23 as they host Southeastern Louisiana (0-3) at 7 p.m.
