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Raiders hoping to get off to fast start

Slow starts a major factor in three of  WSU’s past four losses.

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By Kyle Nagel, Staff Writer Updated 10:58 PM Friday, February 3, 2012

FAIRBORN — With an offense that has struggled for consistency this season, the Wright State men’s basketball team has faced some slow starts.

That happened again on Thursday, as Butler went up by 11 points early and defeated WSU 64-53.

“The game was lost,” Raiders coach Billy Donlon said, “in the first 10 minutes.”

Thursday’s game was the third instance in the Raiders’ past four losses that they trailed by at least 11 points in the first half. Wisconsin-Milwaukee led 27-8 before winning 58-38, and Detroit took a 34-20 advantage and won 69-53.

Entering tonight’s game against Valparaiso, which stands in second place in the Horizon League despite a 73-55 loss to WSU earlier this season, the Raiders are looking for a better first half. In 24 games this season, WSU has averaged 25.9 points in the first half and 31 in the second.

But big early leads don’t always hold. On Dec. 3, Youngstown State came to the Nutter Center and burst to a 30-13 start before Wright State came back and won 63-62. On Jan. 14, the Raiders were the aggressors, blitzing to a 24-8 start before falling 57-56 against Green Bay.

Now, heading to play high-scoring Valparaiso, which ranks second in the Horizon League in averaging 71.6 points per game, WSU is looking for a better start. Although, as Butler coach Brad Stevens said Thursday, those beginnings can fool a team.

“We didn’t have a halftime lead until January this year, and we were 6-7 or 7-7, so it’s important, but it’s not the end-all, be-all,” Stevens said. “I think it can create a sense of comfort that’s not real, and I think it can create a sense of panic that’s not real. It’s just part of the game and how you respond. Mature teams, it doesn’t matter as much.

“We say you can see who imposes their will at the start of the game.”

Today’s game:

Who: Wright State (11-13, 6-6 Horizon League) at Valparaiso (16-8, 9-3)

When: 8 p.m.

Radio: WBZI-FM (100.3), Info 1660 AM

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