By Skip Coopersmith

2 17 2024

BOX SCORE

https://wsuraiders.com/boxscore.aspx?path=mbball&id=9641

Braun tallies career-high

DAYTON – The Wright State men’s basketball team tallied the first 14 points on Saturday afternoon and never looked back, as the Raiders rolled past Robert Morris 101-71 on Homecoming inside the Nutter Center as AJ Braun tallied a career-high 24 points and Tanner Holden reached 2,000 collegiate points.

Wright State (15-12, 10-6 Horizon) connected on its first eight shots as part of a 19-2 opening run that saw five players in the scoring column five minutes into the contest as the Raiders shot 72 percent in the first half and 64 percent for the game. Holden didn’t take long to get into the scoring action, driving the baseline for a layup on the opening possession to reach 2,000 collegiate points. Holden now has 2,011 total points and counting, while next on his radar will be tallying 2,000 points as a Raider as he currently has 1,914 points in the Green and Gold.

After eight straight points from Robert Morris (10-17, 6-10 Horizon) late in the first half cut the Wright State lead back to single digits at nine, Holden delivered a block from behind on a would-be RMU dunk that the Raiders went the other way on and Alex Huibregtse connected on a corner three-pointer that sparked a 12-2 Wright State run, turning away any chance of a RMU push and the Raiders led by 21 at the break. Robert Morris hit back-to-back three-pointers to begin the second half, but the Raiders responded with 14 of the next 19 points and lead grew back to 20-plus points as Wright State cruised to the finish.

Braun finished 9-of-10 from the floor on the way to his 24 points, adding eight rebounds, two blocks, two assists and a pair of steals in just 26 minutes of action. Trey Calvin and Brandon Noel each tallied 21 points, with Calvin passing out eight assists and Noel pulling down eight rebounds of his own. Huibregtse connected on a trio of three-pointers on the way to a 14-point game while Holden added 12 points with three assists and three steals.

Wright State finished 34-of-53 from the floor on the way to the 64 percent overall shooting mark, connecting on seven three-point attempts, six of them in the first half (7-11, 64 percent). The Raiders were 26-of-34 (77 percent) at the free throw line, including 21-of-27 in the second half, as they finished with a 46-28 scoring edge in the paint. Robert Morris shot 44 percent (23-of-52) and hit nine three-pointers, seven in the second half (9-25, 36 percent), while going 16-of-21 (76 percent) at the free throw line.

The Raiders pulled down 33 total rebounds, including 28 on the defensive glass, while they scored 18 points off 14 RMU turnovers and had 20 assists on their 34 made baskets.

Alvaro Folgueiras and Jackson Last each had 15 points to lead four Robert Morris players with double figures scoring in the loss.

COURTESY WRIGHT STATE ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS