Women's Basketball | Photo by Monica Brutto | The Wright State Guardian
Wright State University women’s basketball team began an upward trend, defeating the Oakland Grizzlies 83-75 at home.
Past stats
Coming into Thursday’s showdown, the Raiders had won three of its last seven games after only securing two wins to that point in the season. WSU lost its last game against Oakland on Jan. 15 by a score of 73-68.
“This is the time when you want to play your best basketball,” head coach Kari Hoffman stated following the win. “They walk in the gym believing they can win and belief goes a long way.”
The game
After sophomore guard Kacee Baumhower opened the scoring from long range, the Raiders did not lead after 3-0 for the entirety of the first quarter. The team shot over 46% and turned the ball over six times in the first quarter.
The team rallied from a 17-9 deficit by shooting 5-7 from three to retake the lead with just over seven minutes left in the second quarter. WSU would take a 44-39 lead into halftime.
“We are very confident so if we start shooting poorly, we are not going to stop shooting,” Isabelle Bolender said.
Bolender posted a season-high 23 points, leading all scorers. Bolender connected on 12 of her points from long range.
“Once we start getting stops and just running on the other team, and they are in scramble mode, I think our threes are a little more open,” Bolender said.
The Raiders scored 21 fastbreak points along with 29 points from turnovers, allowing the offense to score in many different ways.
“I think a lot of our offense came from our defense,” Baumhower added. “That builds energy that builds chemistry, and everybody wants to share it.
Baumhower was one of four Raiders to reach double-digits in scoring, as she posted 16 in the win. Senior guard Bryce Nixon recorded 10 points and Junior forward Rachel Loobie scored a season-high 12.
“Loobie was our spark plug; she was the one who really got us going in the second quarter,” coach Hoffman pointed out. “I am super proud of her.”
WSU would allow the Grizzlies within five points, before pulling away late in the fourth quarter to secure the 83-75 win.
Looking ahead
The Raiders will return home to host Detroit Mercy on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 1 p.m. for Senior Night to conclude the regular season.
Following Saturday, WSU will match with its first-round opponent of the Horizon League Tournament on Feb. 28.
The team is continuing to generate momentum and confidence as the most important point in the season approaches.
“One of our players (Bolender) said it best: I think we are the most confident 5-23 team in the country,” coach Hoffman said.
Saturday’s regular-season finale can be watched on ESPN+.
