FAIRBORN — Keaton Norris and the Wright State Raiders team delivered a memorable performance in their exhibition game against Wilmington on Saturday night. Norris scored 11 points and contributed five assists without any turnovers, playing a key role in leading the Raiders to a decisive 108-59 victory over their Division III opponent. This win not only served as a test of skill but also showcased the strength of the Raiders’ lineup ahead of the regular season.
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Norris demonstrated his impressive form, hitting 4 out of 5 field goals and converting all three of his three-point attempts, helping his team seize control of the game. With confidence in his long-range shooting, the third-year player shared, “I’ve always felt confident in my ability to shoot from three-point range. It felt great to make a few shots.”
Coach Clint Sargent was equally impressed with Norris’s performance, praising not only his scoring abilities but also his leadership on the court, often acting as a “coach on the floor.” Sargent stated, “As a head coach, I see Keaton’s leadership and stability as invaluable. He is an inspiring presence for the team and brings a lot of insight.”
Wright State had an effective game with a 56.5% shooting rate from the field and successfully made 11 out of 25 three-point attempts. The team also dominated Wilmington in rebounds with a 57-25 advantage, allowing the Raiders to maintain their lead and widen the gap on the scoreboard.
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Alongside Norris, other Wright State players also shone. Logan Woods led the team with 13 points, while transfer player Jack Doumbia contributed 12 points. Notably, freshmen Ayden Davis and Alex Bruskotter scored 13 and 12 points respectively in the second half, highlighting the strong potential of the newcomers in the Raiders’ lineup.
Reflecting on the game, Sargent said, “A lot was happening tonight. Although the final score wasn’t close, there was still a lot to evaluate while playing in front of an audience. We spoke to the team extensively about keeping our character and preparation the same, whether we have an audience or not. And we did a good job of that tonight.”
A highlight of the game came at the end of the first half when Brandon Noel passed the ball to Soloman Callaghan, who then threw an alley-oop to Doumbia, resulting in a powerful dunk. This well-coordinated play demonstrated the Raiders’ cohesive teamwork.
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Starting the game were Noel, Woods, Norris, Alex Huibregtse, and transfer player Micheal Imariagbe. Drey Carter and Andrew Welage were the first substitutes, followed by Callaghan and Doumbia, who entered the game after only about four minutes. Freshman Andrea Holden was the only first-year player to enter early, as ten of the thirteen scholarship players appeared in the first half, showing that Sargent used the entire lineup to test the gameplay.
Callaghan scored a critical three-pointer, raising the score to 15-5 about five minutes into the first half. The Raiders extended the lead to 28-12 with Carter’s drive, maintaining a solid advantage. Wilmington struggled with their finishing, only achieving a 28.4% success rate from their 67 shots, despite making ten three-pointers.
Summing up the game, Norris confidently remarked, “We were ready from the start and finished strong.” Wright State’s performance raised expectations for their fans ahead of the regular season. With the opening game against Kentucky scheduled for Monday, November 4, the Raiders will return to their home court to face Ohio Christian two days later, promising an exciting start to the new season.
