Wright State Basketball: Raiders beats Oakland in dominant performance

Wright State Basketball dominated Oakland in the first half on both ends of the court to remain undefeated at 5-0 in Horizon League play.

To put it in perspective, the Golden Grizzlies were held to 7 for 33 shooting in the first half scoring only 21 first-half points. Wright State Basketball controlled the glass out rebounding Oakland by a 37-16 margin in the first half.

The Raiders also shared the ball attributing to 15 first-half assists where the Golden Grizzlies only had three assists at the half. Oakland head coach Greg Kampe sat his starters and played his bench for the last six minutes of the first half. At one point, Wright State was leading Oakland by 35 points in the first half.

In the first half, the Raiders had three players in double-digits in scoring lead by Tanner Holden and Tim Finkle who both had 11 points each. Wright State’s Loudon Love had 10 points and eight rebounds at the half. Oakland’s star player Rashard Williams had zero points on zero for six shooting in the first half and the only Golden Grizzlies players to be in double digits at the halfway mark was Zion Young who had 10 points at halftime.

Oakland did have a better second half as Oakland’s Jalen Moore scored the Golden Grizzlies’ first basket of the second half on a breakaway layup. Oakland also went with a smaller lineup to begin the half to try to increase the tempo of the game. Wright State though did not show any early signs of letting up after halftime as the Raider’s starters began the second half. Wright State outscored Oakland 10-5 during the first five minutes of the second half.

Trey Townsend put down a two-handed dunk off a missed Moore layup with 14 minutes remaining in the game to give the Golden Grizzlies and much-needed boost. Oakland’s Kevin Kangu hit a three to make it a 64-31 game with just under 13 minutes remaining in the game.

Wright State did pick up some fouls in the second half sending two Raiders players to the bench with four fouls each. Wright State’s Alex Huibregtse hit a three-pointer with just over 12 minutes left to help the Raider’s offense continue to be very productive in the second half of play.

Oaklands Philipps Joseph had a nice post move and bucket to make the score 67-35. The Golden Grizzlies Kangu made his second three-pointer of the game to make it a 30 point lead for the Raiders.

Wright State’s Love sealed off his man in the post to get a bucket to make it a 72-39 point lead with just under nine minutes remaining. The Raiders Finke made a layup got fouled and made his free throw to complete the three-point play with just under eight minutes remaining in the game.

This game tonight was reminiscent of last year’s game when Wright State came to Oakland on a Friday night and defeated the Golden Grizzlies 96-69. The Raiders Holden lead all scorers with 24 points and his teammate Finke had an all-around good game with 16 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists. Oakland was lead by Moore who had 14 points with four assists.

The final score ended up being Wright State 90 ad Oakland 51. Both teams play again tomorrow at 5 as Wright State looks to remain in first place in the Horizon League.