By Brenda June Temple

Scott Nagy WSU BKB coach 2 28 2024 Postgame Press Conference Purdue Fort Wayne 79 WSU 77.mp3

2 28 2024

DAYTON – The Wright State men’s basketball team saw its three-game winning streak come to a close on Wednesday night as the Raiders fell 79-77 in overtime to visiting Purdue Fort Wayne inside the Nutter Center.

Wright State (17-13, 12-7 Horizon) now turns its attention to Saturday night’s regular season finale against Northern Kentucky. The Raiders will celebrate the careers of Trey Calvin and Tanner Holden before the scheduled 7 p.m. tipoff.

On Wednesday, the Raiders had a chance for a last shot victory in regulation when, tied at 74-all, Calvin’s deep three-pointer at the horn was just long off the back of the iron to send the game to overtime. Overtime saw just eight total points scored, with Purdue Fort Wayne (19-11, 10-9 Horizon) up by two late after a three-pointer with 2:09 to play.

In the final two minutes of overtime, Wright State had a turnover and a pair of missed shots before Purdue Fort Wayne went to the free throw line still up by two with 17 seconds remaining. Rasheed Bello missed the front end of a one-and-one, setting the Raiders up with an opportunity to tie or take the lead in the closing seconds, but Calvin’s pullup jumper near the elbow was blocked by Anthony Roberts to give the visitors the win.

All five Wright State starters tallied double-digit scoring nights, accounting for all but four of the Raiders’ 77 points. Holden finished with a team-best 19 points, adding six rebounds, four assists and two steals, while AJ Braun and Brandon Noel each tallied double-doubles. Braun notched 16 points on 8-of-10 shooting to go with his 10 rebounds, while Noel scored 10 points with his 10 rebounds, adding three assists and a pair of steals. Alex Huibregtse chipped in 15 points and pulled down seven rebounds, while Calvin finished with 13 points and six assists.

Wright State finished the night shooting 45 percent (31-of-69) overall and was 5-of-17 (29 percent) from three-point range. The Raiders were 71 percent (10-of-14) at the free throw line, including a 7-of-9 mark in the second half. Purdue Fort Wayne shot 41 percent (30-of-73) overall and connected on 11-of-28 (39 percent) from three-point range, with five in both halves of regulation and one – the eventual game-winner – in overtime. The visitors were 73 percent (8-of-11) at the free throw line.

COURTESY WRIGHT STATE ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS