Raiders silencing opponents’ top guns

Seniors Duggins and Evans credited with muzzling leading scorers; Kreps next?


10 or fewer

WSU is 6-0 this season when holding the opponent’s leading scorer to 10 points or fewer

Team

Player

Avg.

vs. WSU

Air Force

Michael Lyons

12.6

10

Tusculum

Rob Troutman

11.7

7

UW-Milwaukee

Tone Boyle

12.9

6

UW-Green Bay

Rahmon Fletcher

16.6

9

Central Michigan

Trey Zeigler

15.3

6

Northwood

Bobby Lewis

17.9

6

FAIRBORN — Wisconsin-Green Bay arrived at the Nutter Center on Saturday boasting the Horizon League’s third-leading scorer in guard Rahmon Fletcher, who was also a first-team all-league preseason pick.

As both teams struggled offensively, so did Fletcher. He scored nine points, or 7.6 less than his average, as Wright State topped Green Bay 67-64 on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Vaughn Duggins.

But the WSU defensive performance was not unique. The Raiders have held the opponent’s leading scorer to less than his average nine times this season, including four times in their current 6-1 stretch.

WSU (9-6, 2-1) will try to continue that on Thursday when it travels to face Illinois-Chicago (5-10, 0-3) and guard Robo Kreps, who ranks third in the league with a 16.1-point scoring average. The Raiders, though, feel confidence in their perimeter defenders.

“I think it’s N’Gai (Evans) and Vaughn,” said WSU senior guard Troy Tabler after Wright State held UW-Milwaukee’s Tone Boyle to six points (6.9 less than his average) in a 68-44 win last Thursday. “The coaches prepare us all well, they do great game plans, but N’Gai and Vaughn are some of the best defenders you’ll see.”

Wright State is 6-0 this season when holding the opponent’s leading scorer to 10 points or fewer, including victories against Milwaukee and Green Bay that helped the Raiders to a 2-1 start in the Horizon League.

Aside from their defensive presence, seniors Duggins and Evans also average a combined 28.6 points per game, and Tabler scores 13.3 per game. The senior trio of guards has been mostly steady in keeping opponents’ perimeter scorers in check.

It didn’t take WSU coach Billy Donlon long to express that after Boyle scored his six points last Thursday when he was asked about keeping the opponents’ leaders in check.

“I don’t mean to cut you off,” Donlon said, “but Vaughn Duggins. Vaughn Duggins and N’Gai Evans.”

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

About the Author