Jan. 30, 2010

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Wright State trailed by one with 7:41 to play, but outscored Loyola 22-3 the rest of the way as the Raiders pulled away for a 66-48 Horizon League decision Saturday afternoon at the Nutter Center.

Wright State won the tip-off and Todd Brown was able to drive to the hole for a lay-up to start the game. After a three-pointer and a lay-up from Vaughn Duggins the Raiders had a 7-4 lead.

The score stayed close until N'Gai Evans and Duggins made back-to-back shots to give the Green and Gold a 17-12 lead, forcing the Ramblers to take a timeout with 9:13 on the clock.

Loyola slowly worked itself back into the game but Duggins was able to make three straight baskets for the Raiders, including a three-pointer, as Wright State held on to a 24-21 lead with 5:49 remaining.

Todd Brown was then able to open things up for the Green and Gold with a dunk followed by a jumpshot to maintain a three point lead. Cory Cooperwood then scored the final four points for Wright State to give the Raiders a 32-27 lead at the half.

Loyola came out firing in the second half to take a 34-36 lead with 15:14 remaining. But then Troy Tabler turned the game around and made a three-pointer to give Wright State a 37-36 lead.

It was a back and forth battle for a while and then Cooperwood took control of the game for Wright State. Cooperwood went on an 8-2 run to give the Raiders a 49-45 lead.

After a Loyola three-pointer to make it a one point game, Wright State answered back with three consecutive three-pointers Duggins, Cooperwood and Evans to take a 58-48 lead.

From that point on Wright State never looked back didn't allow a basket for the remainder of the game.

Vaughn Duggins recorded a season high 21 points and Cory Cooperwood matched a career high with 19 points to lead the Raiders. Cooperwood also recorded a double-double as he added 12 rebounds, one shy of tying a career high.

"I just wanted to get my team going," said Cooperwood. "Todd (Brown) and N'Gai (Evans) did a pretty good job throwing me (passes) and looking for me on the pick and pops and I knocked (my shots) down."

Duggins and Cooperwood took turns dominating the scoring on Saturday. Duggins recorded 14 of his points in the first half while Cooperwood scored 13 of his in the second half. But at the end of the game, with just 5:35 remaining, it was both Duggins and Cooperwood who led the way on a 17-0 run that ended the game.

The win is Wright State's third straight. It's the fourth time this season they have won three games in a row, but it is the first time they have won three straight against Horizon League opponents.

Marcus Thomas paced Loyola (12-9, 3-8 Horizon) with 13 points off the bench, including four three-pointers.

Wright State (14-8, 7-4 Horizon) heads to the Hoosier State for a pair of games next week, facing Valparaiso on Thursday, February 4, at 8:00 Eastern, followed by Butler on Saturday, February 6, also at 8:00. The Butler contest will be televised live on ESPN2.