Wright State pulled off a stunning upset on the road, defeating Oakland 94-84 at the OU Credit Union O'rena. This victory is a significant statement for the Raiders, as they took down a Golden Grizzlies team that was expected to come out on top. The 10-point margin of victory is a reflection of Wright State's dominance, particularly in the first half, where they built a substantial lead.
Solomon Callaghan was the catalyst for Wright State's success, scoring 27 points to lead the Raiders. He was supported by strong performances from Kellen Pickett, who recorded 18 points and 11 rebounds, and TJ Burch, who added 18 points and 6 assists. The Raiders' balanced attack proved too much for Oakland to handle, as they struggled to contain Wright State's offense.
Despite the loss, Brody Robinson had a phenomenal game for Oakland, scoring 35 points to lead the Golden Grizzlies. Tuburu Naivalurua and Brett White II also contributed with 15 and 11 points, respectively. However, their efforts were not enough to overcome the deficit created by Wright State's strong start. The Raiders' 49-point first half set the tone for the game, and Oakland's 30 points in the same period put them in a hole that they could not climb out of.
At halftime, Wright State held a 19-point lead, and although Oakland managed to narrow the gap to 10 points by the end of the game, the damage had already been done. The Golden Grizzlies' 54-point second half was an improvement over their first-half performance, but it was not enough to overcome the Raiders' strong start.
This upset victory is a significant boost to Wright State's resume, as they secured a Quadrant 2 win on the road. The Raiders' net ranking of 132 will likely improve as a result of this win, and they want to build on this momentum in their future games. On the other hand, Oakland's loss will be a setback, as they were expected to win this game. The Golden Grizzlies' net ranking of 130 will likely take a hit, and they must regroup and refocus to get their season back on track.
The fact that this was a Quadrant 3 game for Oakland makes the loss even more disappointing for the Golden Grizzlies. They had an opportunity to secure a quality win, but instead, they fell victim to a strong performance from Wright State. As for the Raiders, this Quadrant 2 win will be a valuable addition to their resume, and they want to use this momentum to make a push for a tournament bid. With this win, Wright State has significantly improved their tournament chances, and they will be an interesting team to watch in the coming weeks.