That’s because it was almost exactly one year ago – 368 days to be exact – when the Raiders saw their season end after blowing a 19-point halftime lead against the same Flames team in the first round of the 2015 HL tournament.
“Coach (Scott) Woods was the first one on that,” WSU senior JT Yoho said. “That was definitely on our mind. It’s a 40-minute game. We knew we had a long 20 minutes left.”
It probably only seemed long for UIC as the Raiders never gave the Flames any reason to believe a repeat rally was in the works. WSU held UIC without a field goal for the first 4 minutes, 58 seconds of the second half to stretch the lead to 26 and never looked back.
Collie's career: The WSU bench celebrated each of the season-high 14 3-pointers the team knocked down against UIC, but it was two of the most insignificant ones in terms of the game's outcome that had the Raiders exploding with applause.
Senior walk-on Daniel Collie not only set a career-high with his two late 3-pointers, he equaled his career total.
“I’m so happy for that kid,” WSU coach Billy Donlon said.
“That was unbelievable to see him hit those 3s,” added sophomore guard Grant Benzinger. “Four years here as a walk-on. That was well deserved.”
Collie hit both of his treys in a 32-second span for the team’s 11th and 12th 3-pointers of the game.
Freshman guard Alan Vest hit the 13th to tie the season high the Raiders set Dec. 20 in an 83-47 triumph of Bowling Green. Sophomore guard Trey Stacey hit the 14th with seven seconds to go.
Talking 20: Saturday's victory marked the third time in the last four years Wright State has reached the 20-win plateau as the Raiders improved to 20-12.
“It’s a number that’s important to the outside world and sometimes to your bosses,” Donlon said. “So I guess if it’s important to your bosses, it better be important to you.
“The 20 number is good,” Donlon added. “I’m happy for the kids.”
The Raiders will need to win the HL tournament title to equal Donlon’s career high of 23 wins, which he set in his third season in 2012-13.
Detroit decider: Detroit beat Youngstown State 92-79 to set up a rubber match between the Titans and Raiders.
Wright State won 77-76 in the first regular-season meeting at the Nutter Center on Jan. 18, then Detroit prevailed 75-68 at Calihan Hall 13 days later.
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