Raiders cruise past CSU in exhibition despite backcourt shortage

WSU was already up 16-6 when junior guard Evans lost contact lens early in first half.

Wright State’s Todd Brown makes a jumping pass against Central State during an exhibition game Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Nutter Center.

Staff photos by Teesha McClam Wright State’s Todd Brown makes a jumping pass against Central State during an exhibition game Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Nutter Center.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Staff photos by Teesha McClam Wright State players and staff take the court to look for N’Gai Evans’ contact lens during their exhibition game.

ENLARGE PHOTO

By Marc Katz, Staff Writer Updated 1:07 AM Friday, November 6, 2009

FAIRBORN — Just six minutes and 35 seconds into the game, Wright State junior point guard N’Gai Evans caught a finger in his right eye and lost a contact lens.

“I’d have liked to have played him longer,” WSU coach Brad Brownell said, “but I went down there (at the end of the bench) and he said, ‘I can’t see.’ ”

Eventually, Evans’ father, also N’Gai, sent down his own contact lens, so Evans did see some more action in the second half.

He probably didn’t have to play again at all since the Raiders beat Central State 83-55 in an exhibition game Thursday, Nov. 5, that essentially was decided before Evans was poked.

At the time, WSU was up 16-6, Evans had already buried a 3-point shot and every starter had scored. Evans also had a steal. In the second half, he added two assists, not the most impressive numbers on the team, but nice from a player who will be counted on more and more.

Wright State is beginning the season short in the backcourt with point guard John David Gardner injured and Vaughn Duggins on suspension. It is almost the way last season ended, with both those older guards out of the lineup and Evans seeing his minutes increased.

“You hate to be short at any position,” Brownell said, “but some other guys have handled the ball. ... It’s not ideal. I’d like to have another ball-handler at times. We’re managing it OK right now.”

Freshman Darian Cartharn made it easier, playing well for 27 minutes.

The Raiders play in next weekend’s Athletes in Action tournament in Seattle. By then, Joy Evans, N’Gai’s mother, promises she’ll have her son stocked with contacts.