Feb. 26, 2011

Post-Game Podcasts - Head Coach David Greer - Seniors Jerry Oden, Bryan Smothers & Ike Udanoh

Detroit, Mich. – The Wayne State men's basketball team (19-7, 14-5 GLIAC) swept the season series with Hillsdale College (20-5, 14-5 GLIAC) for the first time since the 1999 campaign following a 74-59 victory on Senior Day.

The three seniors, Jerry Oden (Detroit, Mich./Cass Tech), Bryan Smothers (Pontiac, Mich./Northern) and Ike Udanoh (Detroit, Mich./Warren Woods Tower), were honored prior to tip-off, but it was the bittersweet tribute with 54 seconds left in the game that brought the home crowd of 784 to their feet as head coach David Greer subbed each senior out individually, giving them one last moment of recognition.

As for the game, the Warriors led from start to finish for the second Saturday in a row.

Leading 30-22 at the beginning of the second half, WSU opened by scoring the first six points, increasing its margin to 14. Oden, who had a big first half with 10 points and four rebounds, tallied two of the three baskets during the span. He finished with a team-high 18 points for the second straight game.

At the 16:01 mark, Brad Guinane's lay-up cut the Charger deficit to nine (36-27), but the Warriors answered with a put-back dunk from Ian Larkin (Detroit, Mich./Renaissance) and a pair of free throws from Oden to go up 40-27 with 13:26 left.

Stacey Waters' (Detroit, Mich./Renaissance) triple increased the lead to 15 with 11:20 remaining. He too ended with the same point total (11) as last game.

Hillsdale climbed back within nine twice over the next 7:03 and trailed by seven following a pair of free throws from Guinane with 4:08 to go.

However, back down the floor, Dale Brundidge (Southfield, Mich./Detroit Country Day) sank a timely three-point basket as the shot clock expired and it was followed by a crowd pleasing dunk from Mike Hollingsworth (Utica, Mich./Utica).

Brent Eaton connected from behind the arc to put the visitors back down by nine, but it would be the closest the Chargers would get as the Warriors closed the last 2:41 on a 12-6 run.

In the first half, the Warriors expanded on their 8-7 lead in the first three minutes, going on an 11-3 run over the next 9:57 of the contest to lead 19-10 with 7:10 remaining before the break.

Hillsdale cut into the deficit, tallying the games next six points, but WSU used an 11-6 run to close the half.

Despite playing only 19 minutes because of foul trouble, Udanoh still contributed 13 points and seven rebounds. Hollingsworth had 10 points and six assists and Smothers added seven points and five assists.

NOTES
The Warriors have now defeated the Chargers in seven of their last eight meetings at home … The Warriors held the Chargers to 24 percent shooting in the first 20 minutes and 34 percent (25-of-49) for the contest, while WSU shot 51 percent (25-of-49) from the floor …WSU went 20-for-23 from the free-throw line, while HC was 18-of-24 … Wayne State outscored Hillsdale 30-16 in the paint and committed only nine turnovers to the Chargers 16.