After scoring just 23 points in the first half — their fewest in a half since also scoring 23 in a home loss to Robert Morris three years ago — and starting out with a 13-1 rebounding deficit, the Raiders dug deep and finished on a high note.
Jack Doumbia swished a tie-breaking jumper, and his teammates knocked down five of six free throws in the final 1:31 to pull out a 66-62 victory over Oakland before 3,230 fans Thursday.
“For large parts of that game, we were out of sorts. To finally see that consistent persistence and our huddles and the guys’ eyes and belief — it’s exactly what we needed,” said Sargent, whose team improved to 9-8 overall and 3-3 in the Horizon League.
“Oakland is tough. They’re very physical. They’re very good in areas where we’ve been exploited — and they did that at times. But seeing our guys continuing to meet the moment and then finding a way to win a close game, I’m very proud.”
The Raiders shot a pedestrian 45.3% from the field, went only 7 of 23 on 3′s and gave up a robust 16 offensive rebounds.
But that wasn’t on their minds in the immediate aftermath.
They were too busy enjoying the win.
“You kind of journey through the bad days — and we’ve had plenty of them as of late —and to see the celebration and the confidence that comes from it, those are moments as a coach you’re thankful for,” Sargent said.
“To see them have some look-in-the-mirror moments and getting to see that (response) is what it’s all about.”
Trailing by as many as 13 points in the first half and by eight early in the second half, the Raiders made a charge to grab their first lead with four subs on the floor: Andrew Welage, Solomon Callaghan, Andrea Holden and Doumbia.
They turned a 43-37 deficit at 13:27 into a 45-43 on edge with 10:59 to go.
But the HL defending champions wouldn’t go away.
Allen David Mukeba made one of two free throws for a 56-56 tie with 2:45 to go.
After trading baskets, Wright State’s Alex Huibregtse was fouled on a 3 at 1:31 and made all three free throws for a 61-58 lead.
Oakland’s Tuburu Naivalurua scored and was fouled at 1:01, making the free throw to tie it again.
Doumbia, who’s the Raiders’ unofficial leader in big-time baskets, swished a 15-footer with 33 seconds to go. Naivalurua was fouled with 14.1 seconds left, but he missed the first and then made the second.
After Brandon Noel made one of two foul shots with 11.9 seconds left to give the Raiders a 64-62 edge, Oakland (5-12, 2-4) called a timeout with six seconds left.
The Grizzlies, inbounding in front of their bench, tried a lob at the basket, but Doumbia left his man and tipped the ball to Keaton Norris, who sealed the game with a pair of foul shots with 4.1 ticks left.
“That’s what we needed right there — a gritty win,” Norris said. “Feels good.”
About his deflection, Doumbia said: “My guy kind of went to the corner, and I knew he wasn’t going to get the ball. I turned my head and saw the ball in the air. I knew it was a lob.”
He smiled broadly at veteran coach Greg Kampe as the players walked to the other end. Asked about the interaction, Doumbia replied coyly: “I don’t even know what I said. I did see the play, though. I can’t lie.”
Norris had career highs with 14 points and four 3′s in six attempts after missing the last three games with a bruised thigh. Doumbia had 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting.
Holden, a 6-foot-6 freshman who was redshirting as of two games ago, had a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds after having 11 points and seven boards against Green Bay.
SUNDAY’S GAME
Wright State at Robert Morris, 2 p.m., ESPN+, 101.5, 1410
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