But the Raiders finally had an enjoyable experience on the floor while mostly firing bricks. They shot a dreary 37.1% — their worst effort since hitting 35.3% in the season opener at Kentucky — yet still managed to post a relatively easy 67-50 win over Detroit Mercy before a Military Appreciation Day crowd of 5,509 on Saturday afternoon.
The Titans’ 30.8% shooting also was a season-low for opponents.
“We shot 37% and still won the game. How many times have we done that — even shot 37%, let alone win the game?” said senior guard Alex Huibregtse, who didn’t have his usual touch while finishing with 11 points and going 2 of 9 on 3′s.
“That’s just a huge testament to the growth on the defensive end for us. We had pretty good energy coming off a loss. We knew we needed this one — we need every game from here on out, really. But we showed nice energy today and got it.”
It was the Raiders’ poorest shooting display in a win since hitting 36.2% at Detroit Mercy on Jan. 5, 2020.
They went just 9 of 28 on 3′s and made only 12 of 20 foul shots.
They were 22nd in the nation in field-goal shooting at 49.0%, 28th from 3 at 38.1% and 175th in foul shooting at 72.0%.
“I’m happy for how we responded after a tough loss to Milwaukee in a game that wasn’t necessarily ‘Wright State’ as far as humming offensively, clicking for a full 40,” coach Clint Sargent said.
“We’ll take it. I understand because I was a player too, and that internal battle of enjoying the ugliness of it, I think we can grow there. But we’re proud of how the guys responded.”
The Raiders (11-11, 5-6) jumped out to leads of 11-0 and 16-2.
They made it 54-35 with 9:48 to go. Detroit Mercy (6-16, 2-9), which has lost six games in a row and 10 of their last 11, managed to cut it to 10 but could get no closer.
“That (intensity) is something we’re very proud of,” Brandon Noel said after going only 4 of 12 from the floor but finishing with 15 points and 12 rebounds.
“We had good effort today, something I think had been lacking the last game. I think we felt that today.”
Wright State has won five in a row in the series and 11 of the last 12.
“I’m appreciative of our administration,” Sargent said. “People showing up — I’m very grateful for that. It means a ton to our program and our players. The ripple effect is felt, and I want people to understand we feel it.
“That consistent support means a lot — especially for a group of guys who want to win for our fan base, for the people who have always been with us.”
BRIGHT DUDES: The Raiders had 13 players who earned first-semester academic recognition for having at least a 3.0 GPA: Brandon Noel, Alex Huibregtse, Keaton Norris, Andrew Welage, Drey Carter, Michael Imariagbe, Jack Doumbia, Solomon Callaghan, Braden Grant, Ben Southerland and freshmen Andrea Holden, Alex Bruskotter and Ayden Davis.
THURSDAY’S GAME
Wright State at Youngstown State, 6:30 p.m., ESPN+, 101.5, 1410
About the Author