The Eagles (3-8) scored the first two baskets of the second half, prompting WSU coach Scott Nagy to call a quick timeout. The Raiders (6-6) then went on an 11-0 run for a 42-38 lead.
Gentry hit a 3-pointer to push the lead to five with 15 minutes to go, and the Raiders stayed in front the rest of the way to snap their streak of five straight losses against Division-I foes.
Bill Wampler had 18 points, and sub Skyelar Potter chipped in 12.
The Raiders have been plagued by poor first halves of late, and they continued that trend against the Eagles. They built a 13-point lead but couldn’t sustain it, and they trailed, 34-31, at the break when A.J. Hicks swished a 3-pointer from just inside midcourt at the buzzer.
It was a half of streaks. After falling behind, 9-5, in the first six minutes, Potter (five points) and fellow sub Malachi Smith (two) fueled a 7-0 run to give the Raiders a 12-9 lead with 12:30 to go in the first half.
The Eagles tied it at 14. But Love ignited a 13-0 surge with a three-point play — giving teammate Mark Hughes a body check with his demonstrative celebration after the basket. And Wampler scored in transition for a five-point lead.
Gentry hit a 3-pointer and had a steal and breakaway for a 24-14 lead. And Potter made a 3-pointer with 5:30 to go for a 27-14 edge.
Morehead State then fought back with a 10-0 run. The Raiders stretched their lead to 31-26 on another Potter 3 with 1:35 left, but the Eagles scored the last eight points of the half, including Hicks’ desperation heave.
SATURDAY’S GAME
Wright State at Mississippi State, 7 p.m., SEC Network, 106.5
About the Author