Photos © and Courtesy of Tim G. Zechar

This home opener was a "tale of the Ts". A game of Two halves, Ta-myra, Turnovers, Three-point shooting and Thomas. When it was all over the Wright State women were able to walk away with their first win of the season beating EKU 65-44, behind Junior LaShawna Thomas' 15 points, six steals, four assists and four rebounds and a good defensive effort.

The first half looked like both teams were still learning the game. EKU was leading WSU in a stat they don't want to lead in - Turnovers. WSU caused them to turnover the ball 22 times in the half for 12 points, while the Raiders only turned it over 11 times for 5 EKU points. They also grabbed 14 steals to just 2 by EKU.

The shooting by both times was only in the twenties - 27.8% (5-18) for EKU to 26.5% (9-34) for the Lady Raiders. The best stat of the first half was EKU's free throw percentage of 87.5% (7-8). In the second half, the sixth man would help with that - more on that later.

EKU was leading the scoring 5-6 when at the 14:29 mark Sophomore Maria Bennett opened up the three point bombardment and along with Thomas sank three quick threes to give the women a 14-9 lead. Although EKU would try to come back it never did. That was the only lead change in this game. WSU shot 33.3% (3-9) from beyond the line in the first half.

The second half saw some better play by Wright State. This half also saw the nine player team get some help for the "sixth man" - our students. Yes, there was actually what you could call "a student section" at the game and - they brought their mesmerizing "Wacky Wheel" with them to help stop EKU! Did it work? You be the judge. Remember that 87.5% free throw shooting in the first half? Well, facing the wheel in the second half, EKU only managed 60.9% (14-23) from the line. Could it be? Who knows but I don't know a better explanation, so thanks for help students!

Junior Ta-myra Davis came alive in the second half. In the first half she sank just two points and grabbed four rebounds. By the end of the game however she lead the WSU rebounding with 11 boards and missed a double-double by just one point, sinking nine points. Thomas would finish the game with 15 points and six steals. Bennett would repeat her first half scoring finishing with 50% three point shooting in the game (4-8) accounting for 12 Wright State points. She also had three steals, two boards and an assist.

As a team Wright State shoot 9-19, 47.4% percent from beyond the arc. Overall in the game they managed to increase their shooting and finished the game at 34.4% (22-64). They lead EKU in steals, 18-5 and EKU turned the ball over 31 times, accounting for 26 WSU points. They were out rebounded by the taller EKU team, 46-39.

The Lady Raiders, for the second game in a row gave the ball up 17 times, better than last year's average of 21. However WKU could only convert the turnovers into 5 points. Mostly due to WSU's defensive efforts and getting down the court to stop them.

So, when the Turnovers finished, the last Three went through the net and Ta-myra and Thomas and the rest of the Raiders left the court, the Lady Raiders got to enjoy their first victory of the season 65-44. Now they must prepare for the University of Akron, who just lost to Robert Morris 67-74. The Zips will be at the Nutter Center on Sunday, Nov 22nd. The game start will be at 3pm a change from the published schedule.