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WSU's Battle hits from long range all night

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By Kyle Nagel, Staff Writer Updated 12:58 AM Friday, February 3, 2012

INDIANAPOLIS — Wright State’s Armond Battle entered Thursday's game against Butler shooting 23.1 percent from 3-point range this season.

But with leading scorer Julius Mays frustrated by tight defense, Battle unloaded at Hinkle Fieldhouse.

The junior forward made 5-of-6 3-pointers and scored a career second-best 18 points in the Raiders’ 64-53 loss to Butler. Mays had eight points on 4-of-8 shooting and said afterward he was frustrated by a slow start to his game. Coach Billy Donlon said he told Mays he wanted Thursday to be an assist game for him (he finished with two assists and six turnovers).

“I look for whatever shot I can get,” said Battle, who averages 6.7 points per game. “A (3-pointer), a drive, I feel comfortable that I can take good shots.”

While in town: Several national reporters and media personalities, including Scott Van Pelt and Ryan Russillo of ESPN and Bob Ryan of the Boston Globe, had reserved seats in the media section while in town to cover Super Bowl XLVI. Other outlets with credentials for Thursday’s game included Newsday and the Salt Lake City Tribune. Some media members, including Yahoo! Sports national columnist Dan Wetzel, tweeted that they attended Thursday’s game.

When Wright State sophomore Cole Darling swished a buzzer-beater from about 70 feet to end the first half, Van Pelt tweeted, “3/4 court shot for Wright St to close half. No doubt on (SportsCenter).”

Around the Horizon League: Valparaiso held on to beat Detroit 64-57 and maintain second place in the league at 9-3 (16-8 overall) on Thursday, as ninth-place Illinois-Chicago beat third-place Youngstown State 72-68.

Cleveland State (18-4, 8-2) remains alone in first place in the league and travels to last-place Loyola tonight.

Full smile: Butler freshman Jackson Aldridge was playing Thursday for the first time since losing a tooth in a collision Saturday with the head of Wisconsin-Green Bay guard Keifer Sykes, which later caused Sykes to change jerseys twice because of bleeding. Aldridge had the tooth repaired this week, and he scored four points Thursday.

Stats: Butler shot 61.9 percent in the first half to lead 35-26 at the break. ... WSU junior John Balwigaire had a season-high four assists. ... Butler’s 6-11 center Andrew Smith, its top rebounder, finished with no rebounds.

Etc.: The Raiders bused from Fairborn on Thursday afternoon despite usually traveling the day before a game. Hotel rooms were difficult to obtain because Indianapolis is hosting the Super Bowl.

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

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