Wright State’s Grant Benzinger became the first Horizon League freshman to score at least 30 points this season in the Raiders’ 76-67 loss Wednesday night to Oakland.
Benzinger became the first Raider freshman in 26 years to score over 30 in a game. Benzinger scored 19 of his game-high 31 points in the second half as he tried to help the Raiders rally from an 11-point deficit.
He is the first Horizon League freshman to score 30 in a game this season. He is also the first Wright State player since Julius Mays to score over 30 since Julius Mays, who later transferred to Kentucky, did so on Jan. 25, 2012 versus Illinois-Chicago.
“It is definitely a cool thing but I would much rather win,” Benzinger said. “We haven’t won in a while, we only have three Horizon League wins. I would much rather get a win on our home court.”
Benzinger has scored over 20 in three consecutive games.
“He has played like an All-League player, forget All-Freshman team,” Wright State head coach Billy Donlon said.
Donlon said that Benzinger was no longer a freshman after Wright State’s first game of the season on Nov. 14.
“I think he wants to win, he comes from – if you ever met his dad (former Reds player Todd Benzinger) and his family, they are really competitive people, and he comes from Moeller High School,” Donlon said. “Being a really good player is his No. 1 priority.”
Hopkins returns… and then exits
After getting into a car accident last week, senior guard Chrishawn Hopkins returned to action after sustaining a concussion. But by halftime, Hopkins was back in the locker room with another possible head injury.
“It is just crazy with all of these injuries,” Wright State guard Justin Mitchell said. “Injury after injury. It is tough, we have to stick through and keep on working.”
Hopkins watched the second half from the Wright State bench after playing 11 minutes in the first half. He did not have any points but contributed a pair of assists.
“I feel awful for any player, but especially a senior,” Donlon said. “They had a bad thing happen to them in this weather that day with the car accident. And now, he comes back and bang, right away on a quick bang-bang play.”
Mitchell responds to coach
Justin Mitchell
While Mitchell scored his career high 18 points Wednesday, it did not mean that he did everything correctly in the game. Several times early in the game, Donlon had an earful to give to Mitchell.
“I am normally not this animated, but that was about we have set rules defensively,” Donlon said. “When the ball goes into the post, and the post player hasn’t started dribbling, you cheat home to your man because he is a passer. And Justin cheated all the way in and they fired it right back to Max Hooper and he hit a 3.”
Donlon called timeout with 8:20 left in the first half, but immediately after the timeout, Mitchell responded with a layup.
“After that, he was terrific,” Donlon said.
Arceneaux sits
Reggie Arceneaux
Wright State guard Reggie Arceneaux sat for the entire second half as he has been battling a lingering foot injury that has limited his production since the start of conference play.
Donlon opted to sit his senior and give his younger players a bit more playing time.
“Many of you have seen Reggie play for four years, he isn’t playing anywhere near (his usual level),” Donlon said. “Even when he is fresh, he can’t play at the speed he normally plays at. It is a fine line because he is a senior and he has experience, but he is trying.”
Arceneaux played 13 minutes in the first half and scored three points on a 3 pointer.
