Last season this game produced fireworks, improbable drama and ESPN Sportscenter ‘Top 10’ buzzer beaters. No drama necessary Friday night at Memorial Gym as Wright State took control of the game mid-way through the first half and never looked back en route to defeating the Vandals 80-70.
Early turnovers negated Idaho’s quick 8-2 lead and allowed Wright State to go on a 10-2 run and a lead the Raiders would never relinquish. In fact, it was two Mike McChristian turnovers early that had him yanked from the game within four minutes of tip-off.
The Vandals had trouble getting anything consistent going in the half court in the first half and looked the part of a team with only two returning starters. Idaho turned the ball over 10 times in the first half, allowing Wright State to go in to the locker room ahead 42-29.
Idaho was a much more consistent team in the second half, but it wasn’t enough. Every time Idaho would chip at the lead, the Raiders would come right back and either drain a three point shot or get a defensive stop to swing the momentum back towards Wright State. Wright State finished 9-25 on the night from beyond the arc, and took advantage of Idaho’s aggressiveness defending the perimeter in the second half with more mid-range looks and looks around the rim. Idaho struggled to close out and rotate to shooters, which led to big men having to step up and spread the interior defense thin.
Statistically, Idaho was the better rebounding team and the more consistent team shooting the ball finishing with a +6 rebounding margin and shooting 53.5-percent from the field. The problem is Wright State grabbed two more offensive boards and ended up with 16 more shot attempts and four more field goals than Idaho did, thanks to a plethora of turnovers in the first half.
Leaders on the night were Kyle Barone with 18 points and 9 boards, while SG Connor Hill had a game high four assists and tacked on eight points. The unsung hero of the night is bench guard Mansa Habeeb, scoring 14 points and grabbing five boards while providing the hustle up and down the court that kept Idaho scratching at the lead in the second half.
Coach Don Verlin, guard Connor Hill speak on the loss