The Wayne State University men's basketball team (10-8 overall, 8-6 GLIAC) recorded its second road win of the weekend with a 79-62 triumph at Ashland University (9-10 overall, 6-8 GLIAC).

The contest was tied twice early on (2-2 and 4-4) before the Eagles went on a 7-1 run to open their largest lead of the game at 11-5. The Warriors responded with a 7-2 run as senior Larry Edwards (Benton Harbor, Mich.) drained a triple from the corner along with buckets from freshman Ian Larkin (Detroit, Mich./Renaissance) and senior Bryan Wright (Warren, Ohio/Harding).

After back-to-back hoops by Ashland made it 17-12, Wayne State tallied six consecutive points as a pair of Ike Udanoh (Detroit, Mich./Warren Woods Tower) baskets were sandwiched around a jumper by Wright.

Ashland regained the lead on a Bylynn Hatcher jumper and held the lead for the next three minutes until a dunk by senior Bryan Edwards (Ypsilanti, Mich./Lincoln) put WSU ahead 24-23. A three-pointer by AU's Micah Fraction put the hosts ahead by two.

Evan Yates made a layup with 5:22 remaining in the first half putting the Eagles in front 30-29. Ashland would score just one more point the rest of half, as Wayne State rattled off 13 points. Junior Bryan Smothers (Pontiac, Mich./Northern) had six points and an assist in the final 4:40.

The Warriors shot 65.5 percent (19-of-29) from the floor in the first half and had just three turnovers in grabbing a 42-31 lead. Meanwhile, the Eagles made 54.2 percent (13-of-24) from the field but had eight turnovers. Smothers led all scorers at intermission with 11 points.

Ashland's field goal drought continued until a jumper by Hatcher at the 17:18 mark. Over the two halves, AU went eight minutes without a field goal.

In the first 5:30 of the second half, the Warriors held a 12-4 scoring advantage to open a 19-point lead at 54-35. Junior Jerry Oden (Detroit, Mich./Cass Tech) had six of the points, while Udanoh added four from inside.

Wayne State's lead stayed between 16 and 19 for the next seven minutes, until another Udanoh layup made it a 20-point lead for the guests at 66-46 with 7:29 left.

AU would not get closer than 14 the rest of the way.

Both teams shot well from the floor in the second half with WSU holding a 50 percent (15-of-30) to 45.5 percent (10-of-22) advantage.

Three WSU players tallied 17 points – Oden, Udanoh and Smothers – with Wright adding 10 points, five assists and four steals. Larry Edwards contributed eight points and four steals.
Evan Yates led the Eagles with 16 points off the bench, while Hatcher added 13.

The Warriors held a 29-21 rebounding advantage with Udanoh having a game-high six boards.

Wayne State had 20 assists to only nine turnovers while forcing Ashland into 16 miscues.

WSU continues its four-game road trip next week with contests at Saginaw Valley on Thursday and Lake Superior on Saturday.