They led by 10 at halftime and increased it to 20 in the first four minutes of the second half on their way to an 87-64 home victory Wednesday,
The Horizon League co-favorites — who went into the game with the second-highest NET rating in the conference at 141st — shot 48.3% from the field and made a steady parade to the foul line, going 25 of 31.
That offset a dismal 3-point effort (6 of 23)
The Raiders were a dreary 42.1% from the floor, 4 of 22 on 3′s and 12 of 24 on free throws.
Brandon Noel had 25 points and 10 rebounds for his seventh double-double this season, but he didn’t get much help.
Jack Doumbia had 15 points and eight rebounds.
Alex Huibregtse, averaging 14.5 points, failed to score for the first time in 90 games, going 0 of 7 from the field in 32 minutes.
Plagued by a recurring back issue, the fifth-year senior went 0 of 6 from 3 and had a streak of 32 consecutive games with a trey come to an end.
Starting guard Logan Woods missed the trip because of an illness and was replaced in the lineup by Solomon Callaghan (seven points).
Wright State, rated 184th in the NET, fell to 12-13 overall and 6-8 in the HL. PFW is 17-8, 10-4.
“They were great defensively, They sped us up and got us out of rhythm,” coach Clint Sargent said on his post-game radio show.
“Our start to the second half was disappointing. We got some decent looks (but missed), and we were not getting stops.”
Despite starting the game with a 7-0 lead, the Raiders hit only six of their first 21 shots and one of their first eight attempts from 3.
They had eight turnovers in the first 13 minutes and finished with 16.
Purdue Fort Wayne won the first meeting at Wright State, 120-113, in double overtime (it was 90-90 at the end of regulation). It’s the most points allowed by the Raiders in their Division I history (since 1987).
“They always put you in a tough spot. They don’t turn it over. They’re physical. They’re fast. They’re skilled. And coach (Jon) Coffman runs great stuff,” Sargent said.
“But I don’t think they’re 23 points better than us. This effort is just not OK.”
SATURDAY’S GAME
IU Indy at Wright State, 7 p.m., ESPN+, 101.5, 1410
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