Raiders fall to Green Bay in Horizon League Championship

JT Yoho flies to the basket during the Raiders loss to Green Bay in the Horizon League Championship game at Joe Louis Arena on March 8 in Detroit.

The Wright State men’s basketball team fell behind by 15 midway in the first half and could not recover as Green Bay won the Horizon League Championship game 78-69 on March 8 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.

A Mark Hughes jumper gave Wright State a 6-4 edge at the 17:16 mark of the first half before the Phoenix followed with a 13-0 run over the next four minutes. Jordan Fouse later gave Green Bay a 28-13 advantage on a jumper with 8:26 remaining in the period, but back came the Raiders with a 12-2 run, five of those coming from Grant Benzinger.

Tevin Findlay, though, broke the string with a three and the Phoenix closed the half with an 8-2 run to go up 42-30 at the break.

Green Bay shot 52 percent in the first half, including four of six from three, while Wright State shot 35 percent and was three of 10 from behind the arc.

Biggie Minnis cut the deficit to 51-41 with a fast-break layup at the 11:39 mark of the second half, only to see the Phoenix break the game with an 11-2 burst over the next three minutes, making it 62-43. Wright State would get no closer than seven in the final minute.

Green Bay shot 47 percent overall, hit six of 13 three-pointers and made 22 of 31 free throws compared to 38 percent shooting, seven of 22 threes and eight of 10 at the line for the Raiders.

Wright State (22-13) was led by Karena’s 14 points while Thomasson posted a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds. Justin Mitchell had 10 off the bench while Yoho, who was selected to the All-Tournament Team, had eight along with six rebounds and five assists.