Arrived here in the Greater Dayton area just in time for tip-off between the Toledo Rockets and hosts, Wright State’s Raiders. Toledo comes into the game with a 2-0 record (1-0 vs. D1) and Wright State is looking to recover after being beat by 19 at Murray State. With this game being played at the Nutter Center, I am expecting a tight ballgame.
Hot shooting on both ends to kickoff the game. Luke Knapke of Toledo has started with three treys already! Mark Hughes has 6 and Loudon Love has 4 in the early going.
1st Media Timeout - Wright St. 12, Toledo 12
Only two points during that sequence, naturally scored by Love. He is so impressive to watch in person and a load to handle down low. Really gives the Raiders an interesting dynamic should they advance back to the NCAA Tournament next season
2nd Media Timeout - Wright St. 14, Toledo 12
Yet another three ball drilled by Knapke. Raiders turn it over, and Jaelan Sanford finishes on the other end. Wright St.'s Billy Wampler draws a foul, makes one of two from the line. Pretty jumper is good from Marreon Jackson of Toledo. Wampler quickly answers with a three.
3rd Media Timeout - Wright St. 24, Toledo 23
TJ Smith gives the Rockets the lead back with a three pointer. Wampler of WSU nails another three on the other end. After a series of missed shots, Chris Darrington of Toledo steps up and drills a three. I am sensing a theme here (both teams love shooting from deep!). The Raiders' Cole Gentry nails a three to put WSU up 4.
4th Media Timeout: Wright St. 30, Toledo 26
After Knapke made one of two from the line, Gentry came down and nailed another three. Sanford drew a foul, made both FT's. Gentry takes his defender off the dribble and finishes with a beautiful layup. WSU's Skylelar Potter sinks two free throws. Knapke answers with his fifth three of the half! Gentry answers with another three of his own.
Halftime - Wright St. 40, Toledo 32.
Transition layup by Willie Jackson after a Wright State turnover Wampler hits a jumper. Jackson responds with a triple this time. Wampler tries an offbalance heat check, but it rims off. Next time down, Wampler hits a two. Wampler now with 13. Jackson gets to the charity stripe and hits two. Parker Ernsthausen of WSU, draws a foul and makes both FT's. Offensive foul called on Sanford and that creates some pushing and both teams get a double technical foul (WSU - Mark Hughes, Toledo - Marreon Jackson). Potter hits a three that got the Raider bench off of their feet. Rockets turnover. Love with a nifty up and under. Raiders lead by 12, their largest.
1st Media Timeout - Wright St. 51, Toledo 39
Missed shots by Wampler and Sanford to open things in this segment. Gentry with a great driving floater. Sanford misses again, starting to get cold. Wright State wants a timeout after Ernsthausen has blood on his jersey. Darrington draws a foul, only hits one. Next possession for Toledo, Darrington drops in a layup. Gentry answers with a jumper. Teams trade a few missed shots.
2nd Media Timeout - Wright St. 55, Toledo 45
Knapke gets fouled, makes one of two. Gentry knifes through the lane for two more, he has 19 now. Darrington gets fouled shooting a three, and knocks down each free throw. Gentry fouled, makes both. Willie Jackson gets back to the line, hits both. Ten point lead for WSU. Wampler misses a wide open three. Toledo turns it over. Wampler finds an open Potter in the corner for three, and he buries it. Love with a rejection on Willie Jackson.
3rd Media Timeout - Wright St. 63, Toledo 50
Sanford hits a jumper and is fouled in the process, and he completes the three point play. Love backed down on Knapke, sweet turnaround hook is good. Missed threes by Nate Navigato and Spencer Littleton of Toledo. Sanford with a strong drive, gets fouled, and makes both foul shots. Knapke hits his sixth three, and is 6-6 from downtown. Nice dish from Hughes to Potter. Potter at the line now, makes both. Ernsthausen has fouled out. Navigato cuts the lead to 8. WSU calls timeout. Out of the timeout, the Raiders work it around to Gentry, who hits a big three.
4th Media Timeout - Wright St. 72, Toledo 61
Missed three by Wampler. Toledo's Darrington misses as well. Both teams in the double bonus as Sandler picks up his second foul. Potter makes both. Under two minutes to go. Navigato shooting two, makes em both. Toledo within nine now. Hughes is fouled, makes one. If you like threes and free throws - tonight is your night. Gentry forced to call timeout, 1:27 to go. Wampler was left alone and Hughes found him for an easy layup. Sanford gets a quick layup and fouled. Toledo timeout. Hughes turns it over and Toledo uses another timeout with 1:01 to go and down by 9. Turnover by the Rockets and the foul fest is coming. Up first is Cole Gentry, makes both. Toledo misses, another foul sends Gentry to the line for two more. Gentry fouled again with a chance to hit 30 points, and he does. Naturally Gentry dribbles out the clock and the Raiders faithful are going home happy.
FINAL Wright St. 84, Toledo 74