Photos © and Courtesy of Tim G. Zechar

The Lady Raiders (6-12/2-6HL) returned home after a two game road trip to host Cleveland State (10-9/5-3HL). CSU was in a four way tie for first place in the HL coming into this game. WSU was in ninth place.

However, WSU was at home and had a good sized crowd to cheer for them since the men were playing after their game. In the end, right at the buzzer, the Raiders pulled off the win with a layup by Junior LaShawna Thomas.

The game started off as a slow, defensive game, with CSU getting the first 4 points before Sophomore Molly Fox gave the Raiders their first points at 15:33, making it 2-4 CSU. The first half would remain very close with two tied scores, before the Raiders took at 17-15 lead at 3:14 on a "B3" - Sophomore Maria Bennett hitting from beyond the arc. Another exchange of the lead, but in the last minute and 5 seconds, Senior Kanisha Ward hit a three, followed by a Junior Ta-myra Davis jumper and a tip back by Thomas giving the Lady Raiders a 24-19 lead going into the locker room at the half.

The Lady Raiders shot 31.3% (10-32) to 30.4% (7-23) for CSU. The scoring for WSU was being lead by Ward and Fox, both with six points. Thomas had six rebounds while hitting four points. Wright State pulled down 22 boards to just 17 for CSU. Fox also had the only blocked shot in the half for either team and WSU also grabbed a 5-4 steal advantage.

The second half started off with the Raiders in control, holding off a run by the CSU Vikings and opening up a nine point lead at the 10:44 mark. However, CSU wasn't going to give in. They continued to fight, tying the game at 7:24 and then grabbing the lead with a three point shot at 6:56 making it 43-46. It would take the Lady Raiders tying the game four times before two free throws by Thomas gave them a one point lead, 56-55 with 42 seconds left. After two free throws by Ward, a three by CSU tied the score for the 10th time at 58 with just 12 seconds left. At the buzzer, a Thomas layup gave the Lady Raiders the win! The referees even verified it with a playback.

The Lady Raiders seemed ready to play tonight and to defend their home court. Four players were in double digits, lead by Thomas with 15 she also lead the rebounding with 8 boards. Davis, Ward and Fox all ended the game with 12 points each.

Controlling the boards 44-35 and shooting 36.9% (24-65) the Lady Raiders were able to hold on after giving up that nine point lead. Wright State gave up the ball 18 times, below their average, while CSU had 13 TOs. CSU was able to garner one point more than WSU off those turnovers, 11-10. Wright State however grabbed an 18-2 second chance point advantage, and the bench gave them 15 points as they grabbed a much needed win, 60-58 over CSU.

The Lady Raiders will stay home and host Youngstown State (0-18/0-7HL) at the Nutter Center after the men host Loyola. Game start time is scheduled for 5pm.