Wright State Finishes Strong, Wins WNIT Opener

Down three with 2:14 to play, the Wright State women's basketball team scored the final five points of the game to pull out a thrilling 66-64 decision over Central Michigan in the first round of the Women's NIT Thursday night at Wright State's Nutter Center.

The Chippewas scored the initial three points of the game and led for the first four minutes until Chelsea Welch connected on a three-point to put the Raiders up 9-7 with 5:15 remaining in the opening period.

After each team exchanged a basket, WSU closed the quarter with a 9-2 run, capped off by a layup and jumper from Symone Simmons in the final minute, to go up 20-11 after one stanza.

The victory was the third postseason win for the Raiders in program history and its first in three tries in the WNIT.  Previously, WSU defeated Buffalo in the 2011 WBI (82-79) and SIU Edwardsville in the 2012 WBI (73-64).

Wright State (25-8) will face Michigan in a rematch of last year's WNIT first round on Saturday, March 18, at 2:00 at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  The Wolverines defeated the Raiders last season 81-53.

*Release Courtesy of Wright State Athletic Communications

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