Where: Beeghly Center, Youngstown
Radio: WONE-AM (980)
Online: horizonleague.org
Series: WSU leads 23-7
Probable starters
Wright State
Player Pos. Cl. Ht. Avg.
V. Duggins G Sr. 6-3 16.0
N. Evans G Sr. 6-2 14.4
T. Tabler G Sr. 6-3 12.0
J. Mpondo F Jr. 6-8 2.5
C. Land F Sr. 6-8 9.0
YOUNGSTOWN STATE
Player Pos. Cl. Ht. Avg.
B. Allen G So. 6-1 4.9
A. Ward G Jr. 6-3 8.3
D. Maymon G Jr. 6-2 10.1
D. Eargle F So. 6-7 9.6
V. Sulskis F Sr. 6-7 13.6
About the Raiders
Wright State is coming off its biggest win of the season against Butler on Sunday and is 9-2 in its past 11 games (in both defeats, WSU lost a 14-point lead). The win moved the Raiders into a three-way tie for second place in the Horizon League. N’Gai Evans received seven stitches above his right eye following a collision in practice on Tuesday, but he won’t be limited, WSU said. In the seven conference games, Evans is averaging 17.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 54.5 percent shooting in 36.9 minutes per game. He ranks second in the Horizon League in conference-only scoring, and Vaughn Duggins is third (16.9). Troy Tabler has averaged 6.3 points in the past three games, but coach Billy Donlon has praised his defense. This begins a four-game road stretch. WSU ranks 13th nationally in turnover margin (4.4), 23rd in scoring defense (59.9) and 45th in free throw percentage (73.4).
About the Penguins
YSU started 4-1 (including wins against teams with a combined 26-41 record) and has beaten only Illinois-Chicago (0-7 in HL) in league play. The Penguins, though, led Butler in the second half before losing 84-79 on Jan. 9. Coach Jerry Slocum is 636-435 in his 36th season as a head coach and 56-110 in his sixth season at YSU. Vytas Sulskis has played in 107 straight games and started 74 times. Damian Eargle leads the league and ranks 13th nationally with 2.9 blocks per game. Nine players average at least 14 minutes per game, and they’re shooting plenty, averaging 23.2 3-point attempts per game as a team. YSU ranks 37th nationally in blocks per game (5.1) but 304th in free-throw percentage (62.7).
FYI
WSU has won six straight against Youngstown State, but the three wins at the Beeghly Center have been decided by 3, 6 and 3 points.
Quote
“We had a nice win, but we have to turn our attention forward, because our league is really good and any team is capable of beating any other.” — WSU coach Billy Donlon
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