{"id":120692,"date":"2022-03-17T13:13:08","date_gmt":"2022-03-17T17:13:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/?p=120692"},"modified":"2022-03-18T08:33:40","modified_gmt":"2022-03-18T12:33:40","slug":"decibel-delight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/2022\/03\/17\/decibel-delight\/","title":{"rendered":"Decibel delight"},"content":{"rendered":"

There were times when the thunderous roar of the Wright State fans seemed about to blow the roof off of the University of Dayton Arena.<\/p>\n

The Raider faithful had a lot to cheer about as the men\u2019s basketball team made Wright State history March 16 with a 93\u201382 victory<\/a> over Bryant for the team\u2019s first win ever in the NCAA Tournament.<\/p>\n

A sea of Wright State fans and supporters clad in green and gold helped fill and tinsel the stands in the rare \u201chome\u201d game at UD Arena. The Raider cheerleaders cheered, the dancers danced and the players \u2014 well, they played. They really played.<\/p>\n

Tanner Holden scored 37 points to lead Wright State in a First Four game that was tight in the first half before the Raiders pulled away in the second.<\/p>\n

The standing ovations from the crowd began after Wright State surged with 7:50 left in the game, then at 1:40 and finally with 23 seconds remaining as the starters took a bow and came to the bench.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think since I\u2019ve been here we\u2019ve played in front of an atmosphere like that, with that many people cheering for us,\u201d said head coach Scott Nagy. \u201cIt was a tremendous experience for all of us, but I know for our players something they will never forget.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Guard Tanner Holden (No. 2) said Wright State fans gave the Raiders an important emotional boost against Bryant. (Video by Kris Sproles \/ photos by Erin Pence)<\/p><\/div>\n

Holden said the crowd gave the team a good boost.<\/p>\n

\u201cEmotionally, I thought the crowd did a great job being energetic, getting into it,\u201d he said. \u201cIt was definitely a great, great turnout.\u201d<\/p>\n

The game attracted both state and local leaders including Gov. Mike DeWine, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, Wright State President Sue Edwards and University of Dayton President Eric Spina.<\/p>\n

When the game ended, Nagy coolly walked over to shake hands with the Bryant coaches and players like it was just another day at the office. He later acknowledged that the game was intense.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was frantic. It was frantic,\u201d he said. \u201cIt was a frantic-paced game.\u201d<\/p>\n

Prior to the game, a tailgate party drew Wright State alumni to The Brightside Music and Event Venue. And while the game was being played, watch parties sprung up at the Wright State Student Union and Milano\u2019s restaurant in Beavercreek.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m out here because this is a really big game for Wright State, and basketball is one of those sports I know the most about,\u201d said nursing major Lyndsi Thompson. \u201cAnd I\u2019ve got to support my team. It\u2019s exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Wright State had played in three previous men’s NCAA Tournament games, they had never won one. Not this time.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a lifetime moment for these guys,\u201d said Nagy. \u201cAnd it is for me too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t\t