Senior guard Kim Demmings showcased her talents at the Nutter Center with 34 points as Wright State (20-6; 10-3 Horizon) defeated Oakland 79-63 on Feb. 18.
Demmings has been on fire over the last three games with an average of 32.3 and a season high of 35 points at UIC on Feb. 6; three shy of her career high.
Junior center Richelle van der Keijl recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds while junior forward Antania Hayes was one rebound shy of one, with nine rebounds and 13 points.
Senior guard Elena Popkey led the way for Oakland with 26 points while sinking five of eight three-pointers. Sixteen of the points came in the second half.
The teams went back and forth in the first quarter with four ties before freshman forward Sidney Santos sank a 3-pointer to put the Golden Grizzlies up 15-13 at the break.
Demmings sank a three with 4:13 remaining in the second to put WSU up six, but junior guard Nicole Dodd responded with back-to-back threes for Oakland to tie the game at 29. WSU trailed by one at the half; 34-33.
The third quarter was tight as the Golden Grizzlies only gained a three-point advantage and the Raiders only gained a two-point advantage.
Junior guard Nola Anderson made a lay-up with 8:07 remaining to cut Wright State’s lead to one at 55-54, but the Raiders responded quickly with an 8-0 run over the next 1:57.
Oakland brought the deficit down to six with 3:36 remaining, but a three by Demmings put WSU up 72-63 before sinking five free-throws in the remaining minutes.
The Raiders have now won five straight games and trail Green Bay (21-3; 11-1 Horizon) in the Horizon League standings by two-games.
With five games remaining, WSU will host Detroit at the Nutter Center at 7 p.m. on Feb. 20 before the Raider’s men have their senior night against Northern Kentucky at 7.
Demmings shines as WSU defeats Oakland
Allison Rodriguez.
Antania Hayes against Cleveland State.
Emily Nurrenbrock
Kim Demmings attempts a jump shot.
