DETROIT--The Wayne State University men's basketball team (5-3 overall, 3-1 GLIAC) ended a two-game losing streak with a 65-48 triumph over visiting Northern Michigan University (3-4 overall, 1-3 GLIAC) Thursday evening at the Matthaei.

The visiting Wildcats, after falling behind 4-2, scored the next six points until a fast break jumper in the paint by senior guard Bryan Wright (Warren, Ohio/Harding).  A defensive rebound and fast break lay-up by sophomore Dale Brundidge (Southfield, Mich./Detroit Country Day) knotted the score at eight.  NMU responded with four straight points and led until a triple by sophomore Stacey Waters at the 8:58 mark put WSU ahead 13-12.

Six consecutive Northern points were answered by back-to-back triples by Wright, who had three triples and 13 points in the first half.  A fast break lay-up by junior Bryan Smothers (Pontiac, Mich./Northern) and another three-pointer by Wright completed the 11-0 Warrior run.

WSU made four foul shots in the final three minutes for the only points after a lay-up by NMU's Chris Warner at the 3:06 mark.

The Warriors held a 28-21 lead at intermission after holding the Wildcats to 31 percent (9-of-29) from the floor.  All six lead changes occurred in the opening 20 minutes.

Wayne State started the second half on a 6-0 run to push the lead to 13.

Three times Northern Michigan was able to cut the deficit to 11, but after the final time (41-30), the Warriors had a 10-2 spurt to seal the victory.

Wright led all scorers with 20 points, while junior Jerry Oden (Detroit, Mich./Cass Tech) added 16 points and classmate Ike Udanoh (Detroit, Mich./Warren Woods Tower) contributed 15 points.  WSU's defense forced NMU into 20 turnovers and held the visitors to 35 percent (20-of-57) from the floor in the contest.

Both Mylan Muphy and Marc Renelique had 12 points for the Wildcats.

Wayne State continues its home stand with a 3 p.m. tip on Saturday against conference rival Michigan Tech in WSU's final contest of 2009.

Comments from WSU Post-Game Press Conference:

Coach #David Greer#

 

I thought our defense was consistent.  We did a good job of challenging their shots.

 

Bryan Wright was able to hit some back-to-back three's.

 

Pretty good team effort we had a lot of contributions from a lot of people.

 

(on starting three guards)

I started three guards last year. I'm going to play the most aggressive people. I have a lot of confidence in those guys. They have been around for a couple of years.

 

Hopefully after January we will be back to a full rotation and able to assert some pressure.

 

I thought defensively our defense kept us in the game. I thought for the most part our defensive intensity was pretty good. It will have to be a lot higher on Saturday.

 

#Jerry Oden#

(scored 16 points)

I didn't practice all week, I just went out there with my same mindset, play hard and play for the team.

 

The game plan for beating the zone is getting the ball in the middle.

 

(on making a basket three times plus a foul)

They were giving me angles, it was a good look by the guards, and I had power over the ball.

 

(on his team's mindset)

We want to win our conference, but not only our conference we want to win the national championship. We have to win this game (against Michigan Tech) on Saturday.

 

(on playing Michigan Tech)

We will come out with the same defense intensity we had tonight.

 

Ike Udanoh

In the first half they weren't wrapping the post very well and they were not stepping up to guard me. That got me a few jump shots and got me going.

 

(on first season at WSU)

It has been quite good. I was here last semester. I got to know the guys real good this summer and it has been an easy adjustment.

 

These wins are real big if we get to win on Saturday.