Interview with David Greer
Interview with Jerry Oden

DETROIT -- The Wayne State University men's basketball team (10-11 overall, 8-9 GLIAC) suffered a heart breaking 68-65 setback to visiting Hillsdale College (9-12 overall, 9-8 GLIAC) Thursday night at the Matthaei.

After battling back from an 11-point deficit (52-41) with under 10 minutes remaining, and a 10-point margin (60-50) with just over five minutes left, the Warriors eventually tied the game with 12.6 seconds left on a pair of free throws by senior Bryan Edwards (Ypsilanti, Mich./Lincoln). 

After Edwards blocked a layup attempt by HC's Tyler Gerber in the waning seconds, Edwards was unable to control the rebound.  With 1.6 seconds remaining, Gerber inbounded the ball and Brent Eaton hit a triple from the left corner just in front of the Hillsdale bench.

The Warriors raced out to a 7-0 advantage on a triple by senior Larry Edwards (Benton Harbor, Mich.) along with a jumpers from juniors Bryan Smothers (Pontiac, Mich./Northern) and Ike Udanoh (Detroit, Mich./Warren Woods Tower).

WSU had an eight-point lead (15-7) following a layup by junior Jerry Oden (Detroit, Mich./Cass Tech) near the mid-point of the first half.

A 12-2 run by Hillsdale put the visitors in front 19-17 with 5:38 left.  An offensive rebound and layup by Larry Edwards tied the game at 19.  The score would again be tied at 21 before four straight WSU foul shots preceded a layup by HC's Brad Guinane.

The Warriors led 29-24 at the break.

Wayne State had a five-point advantage less than a minute into the second half on a jumper by senior Bryan Wright (Warren, Ohio/Harding). 

A 17-4 Hillsdale run over the next 5:30 put the guests ahead 43-35 with 13:44 left.  The Charger lead remained between four and 11 until a triple by Wright pulled the Warriors within three at 62-59 with 2:05 left.

Two free throws by Gerber were followed by an Oden layup.  After a HC turnover, Wright sank a pair of foul shots making it a one-point game with 43 seconds left.  Guinane split a pair preceding Bryan Edwards game-tying free throws.

Wright, who went scoreless in the first half, recorded 23 points in the final 20 minutes.  He was 8-of-10 from the floor including 5-of-6 from beyond the arc in the second half.

Oden also contributed 12 points and a team-best seven rebounds.

Guinane led the Chargers with 21 points and six rebounds with Nick Washburn adding 14 points.

The Warriors will try to snap a three-game losing skid at home on Saturday against the defending national champion Findlay Oilers.