DAYTON, Ohio – Bowling Green State University men’s basketball kept the score close throughout the game, but Wright State pulled away late to register an 80-71 final in favor of the Raiders.
The loss at the Nutter Center Tuesday moves the Falcons to 2-1 on the young season.
For Bowling Green, Leon Ayers III led the way for the third straight game, tallying 22 points for his second consecutive 20-point output.
Samari Curtis followed closely with a season-high 16 points while adding five assists, four steals and three rebounds to his stat line. Rashaun Agee rounded out the double-digit scorers with 12.
Wright State opened the game with a 5-0 run, but the Falcons quickly responded with a step-back jumper followed by a triple, both from Ayers, to tie it up at 5-5.
Wright State added a layup before the first media timeout, holding a 7-5 advantage at the break.
Wright State increased their lead before a 4-0 run by the Falcons just before the media timeout, narrowing the Raiders’ lead to 22-18 at the stoppage.
The Falcons continued to narrow the gap, drawing the deficit to just one at 23-22 before a 9-0 run pushed the Wright State lead to 32-22.
Bowling Green recorded a 5-0 run to close the first half, heading to the locker room with the score at 32-27 Wright State.
The Falcons rattled off a 7-2 run to start the second half and tie the game up at 34-34. Wright State moved up 36-34, but a Kaden Metheny triple pushed the Falcons out in front.
Wright State was able to accumulate a 5-0 run later in the second half to move back in front 48-41.
The game remained close, with the Falcons stayed within striking distance at 52-49.
Wright State built the lead back to a six-point advantage, keeping the cushion before a late push increased the lead to 79-69 for the Raiders and eventual 80-71 final.
Also for BG, Rashaun Agee had 12 points, six rebounds, two steals and one assist and Chandler Turner had eight points, three rebounds and one steal.
Ayers continued a strong start to the season. After posting 16 points in the season-opener and 26 points against Oakland, Ayers now has two of the top five highest-scoring games on the active roster.
Curtis has now reached double-digit points in 12 of the last 14 games going back to last season. Curtis added five assists, leading the team for the third straight game.
Brenton Mills finished the game with a season-high six points for the Falcons, going 3-for-6 from the field.
Kaden Metheny logged a season-high three rebounds as well as a season-high two assists while matching his season-high for steals with two.
The Falcons will continue the road trip this upcoming weekend with a stop at St. Bonaventure. Bowling Green will take on the Bonnies on Saturday with a 2 p.m. tip as part of the Gotham Classic.
