The Wright State Men’s Basketball team played rival Northern Kentucky University on Friday, Feb. 21. Earlier this season, Wright State narrowly beat Northern Kentucky University, 78-70. The team entered the game with a 13-15 overall record and a 7-10 Horizon League Record.
Prior Game
In the first match-up between Wright State and Northern Kentucky, WSU had a scoring average of 77.4 led for over thirty-six minutes, and succeeded in never trailing in the second half.
Northern Kentucky had a loss against Milwaukee just before this game, coming into the rivalry game they with a 12-15 overall record 7-9 Horizon League record.
Wright State's second-to-last home game was the determining factor for hosting their first tournament game on their turf.
Game
Starting the game WSU took offense, with Solomon Callaghan putting up the first shot and points of the night. With a quick turn around Northern Kentucky’s, Keeyan Itejere landed his first shot of the night and began the quick turnovers between both teams.
Wright State struggled in the first half, they offensively were taking shots and pointing a score on the board. However, on defense the team struggled with keeping NKU out of the paint and were letting shots go up with no cover.
During the first half Michael Imariagbe, a senior on the team, was putting up shots, and working to help the team succeed in a win. Ending the first half Imariagbe and Callaghan were putting in big efforts.
“I know I have to keep a level head and just play the game to the best of my abilities, and play my role to help the team,” Imariagbe stated.
Moving into the second half NKU was leading 46-41, pushing WSU to get both defense and offense working together and accordingly.
Starting the second half WSU was still struggling, however, within just over 2 minutes into the half, Brandon Noel was able to create space for a lay-up. Thus starting the headway to leading the game seven minutes in.
With just nine minutes left of the second half, Wright State had a lead of nine points at 66-57. Brandon Noel within the last twenty minutes of the game tallied eighteen out of twenty-two points.
Within the last three minutes of the game, the raiders fell short to NKU, resulting in a score of 80-76. However, the team is not ready to give up on their goals for the season yet.
“Our biggest goals are ahead of us and they are still attainable,” Noel said confidently.
The team will be starting the Horizon League Basketball Championship on March 4 at 8, facing IU Indy, who they have previously lost to. Wright State has a slight advantage with hosting their first-round championship at the Nutter Center.
