College Basketball: Murray State spoils Wright State’s home opener

Raiders off to 0-3 start for first time since 2008-09 season
Wright State’s Loudon Love dribbles in the paint against Murray State on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, at the Nutter Center. ALLISON RODRIGUEZ/CONTRIBUTED

Wright State’s Loudon Love dribbles in the paint against Murray State on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, at the Nutter Center. ALLISON RODRIGUEZ/CONTRIBUTED

Wright State faded down the stretch and lost its home opener, 80-61, to visiting Murray State on Saturday.

The Raiders have lost three straight for their longest losing streak to start the season since dropping six in a row under coach Brad Brownell in 2008-09.

The Racers (2-1) took a 10-point lead when Jalen Dupree scored inside with 12:45 left in the second half. The Raiders managed to cut the deficit to 50-47 on two foul shots by Grant Benzinger, and the gap was still four when Mark Hughes made a 3-pointer with 8:05 left. But the Racers pulled away after that.

Hughes scored inside with 4:29 to go to make it 65-59, but the Racers went on an 11-0 run over the next three minutes, getting two 3-pointers from Jonathan Stark and one from Terrell Miller.

They finished the game on 20-2 run.

Louden Love had 14 points and eight rebounds to lead the Raiders, while Benzinger chipped in 13. Wright State shot 38.9 percent from the field and had 16 turnovers.

Miller lead four players in double figures with 21.

The Raiders beat the Racers, 77-62, on the road last season in one of their best performances of the year.

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