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By Kyle Nagel, Staff Writer 10:47 PM Saturday, December 4, 2010

DETROIT — Freshmen Cole Darling and A.J. Pacher averaged a combined 19.1 minutes per game entering Calihan Hall on Saturday. Against Detroit, Wright State needed them much more.

The 6-7 Darling and 6-9 Pacher played 35 minutes and contributed 7 points in Wright State’s 78-69 loss to Detroit on Saturday.

The Titans boasted 6-10 senior Eli Holman, who entered averaging a double-double, as well as 6-8 Nick Minnerath and 6-11 LaMarcus Lowe.

That trio finished with 27 points and 19 rebounds against Wright State’s 6-8 starters Cooper Land and Johann Mpondo, as well as Darling and Pacher.

In the first half alone, Pacher (13) and Darling (6) already had played 19 minutes.

“They were just long, their arms were really long,” Darling said.

After leading WSU in rebounds the first two games, Darling, from Holt, Mich., had been significantly limited by a ligament sprain in his right knee, playing a combined 14 minutes in the previous four games. He didn’t play at all against Cincinnati on Wednesday.

Pacher, from Vandalia Butler High School, gained confidence from WSU coach Billy Donlon against UC, and not just because he made two 3-pointers. Donlon also liked his defensive presence, so he put Pacher in with 17:20 left in the first half on Saturday.

While Pacher didn’t play in games because of tough inside matchups early, Darling’s participation was more uncertain because of his injury.

“It’s back where it needs to be,” Darling said of his knee. “Just feels good to be able to play again.”

MCCALLUM FACTOR: Few players in the Horizon League have been as anticipated as Detroit guard Ray McCallum Jr., son of Titans coach Ray McCallum and a Parade All-American who chose Detroit over offers from schools such as Arizona, Florida, UCLA and Oklahoma.

McCallum finished with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists, and he scored eight straight points for the Titans after WSU cut the Detroit lead to 67-64 with 3:01 left.

LEAGUE BREAK: WSU won’t play its next league game until Dec. 30 against Milwaukee. In between, the Raiders have five nonconference games remaining: Air Force (Wednesday), Tusculum (Saturday), at Central Michigan (Dec. 14), Miami (Dec. 18), at Charlotte (Dec. 22). Those teams have a combined record of 14-19.

STATS: Detroit made 26-of-34 free throws, and WSU made 12-of-14. ... Detroit outrebounded WSU 33-16. ... Detroit shot 59 percent, and WSU shot 43.6 percent. ... WSU forced 20 turnovers.

ETC.: WSU is holding several events surrounding its home game against Air Force on Wednesday. They include the swearing in of 20 recruits, a shooting contest with Col. Amanda Gladney, commander of the 88th Air Base Wing at Wright-Patterson and the National Anthem and halftime performances by Systems Go!, a base musical group. ... WSU wore its black jerseys for the second time this season and the first since the season opener at Indiana.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7389 or knagel@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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