Head Coach David Greer's Post-Game Press Conference

WSU Senior Guard Bryan Smothers Post-Game Interview

DETROIT -- The Wayne State University men's basketball squad improved to 7-1 overall (4-0 GLIAC) with an 81-69 home court victory over Ohio Dominican University (2-7 overall, 0-4 GLIAC) Thursday night at the Matthaei.

The visiting Panthers scored five of the first seven points for their largest lead of the first half (3 - at 5-2), but the Warriors tallied seven of the next nine points to grab a 9-7 advantage on a jumper by senior guard Bryan Smothers (Pontiac, Mich./Northern), who equaled his career-high with 26 points.

Following an ODU bucket, WSU made the next three field goals, all by different players.  A Panther triple by Zack Joseph cut the Wayne State lead to three (15-12) with 11:20 left and twice over the next three minutes the Warrior margin was cut to two (19-17 and 21-19).

WSU responded with a 14-6 run culminating in a lay-up by Smithers with 2:51 left giving the Warriors a 33-25 advantage.  The eight point lead was Wayne State's largest of the first half.

Smothers helped WSU to a 35-30 intermission lead by scoring 11 points in the first 20 minutes.

Wayne State scored its first six points of the second half from the foul line as senior forward Jerry Oden (Detroit, Mich./Cass Tech) twice made both foul shots sandwiched around a pair of free throws by sophomore guard Mike Hollingsworth (Utica, Mich.).

A fast-break lay-up by Smothers pushed the lead to nine (43-34) at the 18:01 mark.  Following an ODU bucket, WSU scored the next seven points on a triple by junior guard Dale Brundidge (Southfield, Mich./Detroit Country Day), a jumper by Oden and another fast-break basket by Smothers for a 14-point advantage (50-36).

Wayne State's lead remained between eight and 13 points for the next seven minutes.  Six straight Warrior points increased the lead to 15 (63-48) following a pair of foul shots by Hollingsworth.

The WSU lead would never be less than nine over the 10:42 of the contest.

In addition to tying his career-high of 26 points, Smothers contributed nine rebounds and five assists.  Hollingsworth recorded his first career double-double (and WSU's first of the season) with 17 points and 10 rebounds.  Oden added a season-best 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting.  Wayne State had just nine turnovers in the contest.

Kip Kelley led ODU with 17 points which included a 5-for-5 performance from beyond the arc.  Panther leading scorer Aaron Gibbs was held to 10 points, with four of the points coming in the final minute of the game.

Wayne State will conclude its pre-holiday schedule on Saturday with a 1 p.m. contest at Tiffin.