COROOPOLIS, Pa. (Interstat) — Robert Morris built a commanding first-half lead and withstood a second-half surge to defeat Wright State 72-66 in a Horizon League men’s basketball game Wednesday night at Charles L. Sewall Center. The Colonials led 40-27 at halftime behind efficient shooting, connecting on 9 of 20 from 3-point range for the game. The Raiders chipped away after the break, narrowing the gap, but could not complete the comeback. DeSean Goode led Robert Morris with 16 points. Ryan Prather added 17 points and five assists. Michael Imariagbe and Solomon Callaghan each scored 16 points for Wright State, which fell to 15-9. Robert Morris improved to 15-10. The Colonials’ nine blocked shots proved a key defensive difference before an announced crowd of 1,921.

CORALOPOLIS, Pa. (Interstat) — In a pivotal Horizon League clash defined by defensive stands and critical late-game execution, the Robert Morris Colonials overcame a sluggish second half to edge the Wright State Raiders 72-66 on Wednesday night at a raucous Charles L. Sewall Center. The victory, witnessed by 1,921 fans, leveled the season series ahead of a rematch in two weeks and pushed both teams deeper into the conference logjam, with Robert Morris moving to 15-10 overall and Wright State slipping to 15-9. The game’s decisive sequence unfolded in the final 90 seconds, transforming a one-possession contest into a two-possession Colonial lead that proved insurmountable. With Robert Morris clinging to a 65-63 advantage and the shot clock winding down, senior forward DeSean Goode delivered the dagger. The 6-foot-8 native of Fairmont, West Virginia, sank a contested 3-pointer from the wing with 1:16 remaining, assisted by Ryan Prather, to extend the lead to five. Wright State, which had fought back from a 13-point first-half deficit, could not answer. On the ensuing possession, Solomon Callaghan’s driving layup was emphatically rejected by Goode, preserving the momentum. The Colonials then sealed the game at the free-throw line in the closing seconds. The contest was a tale of contrasting halves. Robert Morris dominated the opening period, shooting 51.6% from the floor and building a 40-27 lead at the break behind an efficient offensive performance. Goode and Prather were instrumental, combining for 23 first-half points, while the Colonials’ interior defense, led by Nikolaos Chitikoudis’ four first-half blocks, stifled the Raiders’ attack. Wright State emerged from halftime with renewed vigor, chipping away at the lead with relentless effort on the offensive glass. The Raiders, who finished with a commanding 16-6 advantage in offensive rebounds, generated 18 second-chance points. A 12-4 run midway through the second half, fueled by Michael Imariagbe and TJ Burch, brought the Raiders within a single point. The Raiders’ comeback, however, was continually hampered by poor shooting. They finished the game shooting just 35.4% from the field and 25% from beyond the arc. Despite winning the possession battle and forcing Robert Morris into a slightly higher turnover count, Wright State’s offensive rating of 95.0 paled in comparison to the Colonials’ mark of 107.9. Robert Morris, while cooling to 42.4% shooting in the second half, made key plays when necessary. Prather, a 6-foot-5 guard from Clarksburg, Maryland, was a steadying force, finishing with 17 points and five assists. Goode led all scorers with 16 points, adding three assists and two blocks. The Colonials’ defensive presence at the rim was a defining statistic, as they out-blocked Wright State 9-3, with Chitikoudis contributing four and Goode two. Wright State’s effort was led by Imariagbe, a 6-foot-7 forward from Houston, who posted 16 points and nine rebounds, narrowly missing a double-double. Callaghan added 14 points, and Burch chipped in 14 points and four assists. The Raiders’ bench provided a brief spark, notably from Logan Woods, whose second-half 3-pointer capped their major rally, but it was not enough to overcome the early deficit and the late-game heroics of Goode. The win gives Robert Morris a crucial tiebreaker edge in the Horizon League standings, setting the stage for a highly anticipated return game in Dayton on Feb. 22. For Wright State, the loss halts a two-game winning streak and underscores the fine margins in conference play, where a single defensive lapse or a clutch shot can tilt the balance. Both teams return to action on Saturday, with Robert Morris traveling to face Youngstown State and Wright State hosting Purdue Fort Wayne.

Preview: Wright State Raiders at Robert Morris Colonials COROAPOLIS, Pa. (Interstat) — A pivotal Horizon League clash awaits Wednesday night as the surging Wright State Raiders visit the Robert Morris Colonials at the Charles L. Sewall Center. The Raiders (15-8, 8-2 Horizon) enter on a three-game winning streak, fresh off an 83-75 road victory at Green Bay on Sunday. They have won seven of their last eight conference games, showcasing one of the league’s most potent offenses. The Colonials (14-10, 5-5), meanwhile, look to rebound after a 71-83 loss at Purdue Fort Wayne on Saturday, a defeat that snapped a brief two-game win streak. Wright State’s attack is fueled by forward Kellen Pickett, who is coming off a dominant 21-point, 8-rebound performance against Green Bay. Over his last seven games, Pickett has averaged 15.1 points and has been a consistent defensive presence. He will be supported by contributors like TJ Burch and Dominic Pangonis, who combined for 23 points in the latest win. Robert Morris will counter with versatile guard DeSean Goode, who leads the team in scoring during conference play. Goode tallied 17 points, five rebounds and three assists in the loss to Purdue Fort Wayne and has scored in double figures in six straight contests, including a 20-point outing in overtime at IU Indy on Jan. 15. The matchup features a contrast in recent momentum. Wright State’s only loss since Jan. 9 was a narrow 79-85 defeat to Cleveland State. Robert Morris has been inconsistent in league play, alternating wins and losses over their last six Horizon games. Protecting home court is critical for the Colonials’ standing, while the Raiders aim to solidify their position near the top of the conference table. This game is the first of a regular-season series, with the rematch scheduled for Feb. 22 at Wright State. The Raiders hold a narrow edge in the all-time series, but the Colonials have historically been tough at home. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. EST Wednesday. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.