On Tuesday, just before the turkeys of Thanksgiving go into the oven, one final match needed to be played to end the November non-conference slate for the Wright State women’s basketball squad. Wright State brought in Division II Findlay to the Nutter Center, looking to capitalize on the win against Ohio with a homestead sweep.
The Findlay Oilers (6-2) have won four straight D2 matchups coming into the contest at Wright State. Their losses come from ranked opponents in their circuit – Grand Valley State and Montana State – Billings – as well as an exhibition blowout to Toledo in October. While not a high scoring opponent, they have consistently added value to their score through their free throws, which rank 42nd in D2 competition.
Wright State started off on the wrong foot in the contest, giving up early turnovers and getting stifled by the Oilers’ matchup zone defense to keep them out of the paint. Findlay’s biggest lead of the night would come from the first four minutes, taking an 11-3 lead. With the Raiders’ dribble offense effectively turned off, the aim of the game shifted to making threes where they’re able. Their work cut out for them, the Raiders started chipping away at the Oilers’ lead. At halftime, the Oilers remained on top 33-29.
The lead finally changed the Raiders way after exploding into the third quarter through Macie Taylor, who was able to break through the defense with consistency. Amaya Staton even put up a three, her first of three attempts, to put the Raiders up 40-35.
After holding the Oilers at bay for the better part of the quarter, Findlay stormed back in the final couple of minutes to get within a possession to end the quarter. Wright State created some separation at the 4 minute mark of the fourth quarter, going up 60-54 through a Claire Henson three pointer.
After that, the Oilers scored 10 unanswered to go up 64-60. Olivia Brown put through a 3 in the final seconds to get the Raiders back into it, and after the Oilers went 1-2 from the line, Henson was fouled with the opportunity to tie up the game. Henson made the first and bounced the second off the rim, with the rebound attempt bouncing off the backboard. By creating key turnovers through their zone defense and holding the Raiders outside the paint once again, the Oilers won the match 65-64.
“We simply did not play our best basketball,” Hoffman remarked in the post-game interview. “Made some really bonehead plays when it really mattered and Findlay made all the plays.”
Amaya Staton was once again on double-double watch after being just the 6th Raider to have back-to-back-to-back games with double-doubles, but ended the night just short with 10 PTs and 8 RBs. Macie Taylor had a night, going 8-15 and tallying up 24 PTs to go along with 3 steals.
“They’ve been consistently this good, Mace was playing really hard and making plays and feeding the ball. Amaya was in foul trouble and got down early,” Hoffman remarked about her two highest scorers. “She’s a difference maker and we need to keep her on the floor.”
The Oilers had an all-around good performance from their two lines that they played, opting to swap out the floor during the game instead of making here-and-there substitutions. Kate Ellis led the night from the foul line, making 9-12 (with two of those being intentional misses at the end of the contest) from the stripe to lead the team with 15 PTs. Taylor Stanley and MacKenzie Schulz also brought in double digits points, while Alyssa Ziehler brought in 6 offensive rebounds and 10 RBs total to lead the night.
“I think we did a really good job of [the dribble offense] the past two games, and for some reason we just stopped sharing the ball,” Hoffman replied when asked about the offense. “Kudos to them, they did a really good job and we didn’t have an answer and that’s on me. Hopefully it makes us better, it’s all I can say.”
Wright State begins conference play on December 4th at Detroit Mercy at 7 pm. While losses like these sting, the conference slate will be the true test as to whether or not the Raiders can pull their elements together and succeed.
