Wright State University tipped off its basketball season with energy at the CareSource Invitational, beating Ohio University 63-57 in a thrilling exhibition. Michael Cooper, Solomon Callaghan and Bryan Etumnu set the tone on both ends of the court, offering an early glimpse of the Raider's potential. Beyond the scoreboard, the night carried deeper meaning- supporting Jay's Light, a nonprofit dedicated to youth mental health-blending athletic excitement with community heart.
CareSource Invitational
Basketball season is officially underway. On Oct 20., a doubleheader invitational known as the CareSource Invitational, took place at the University of Dayton Arena. WSU Basketball faced off against OU, followed by a matchup between Ashland University and Northern Kentucky University.
The invitational was held to honor and raise funds for resources that help teens and children thrive in the community.
Money made for this event will benefit ‘Jay’s Light’ a nonprofit founded "In memory of University of Dayton Coach Anthony Grant’s daughter, Jayda, who died in 2022 as a result of mental illness. Jay’s Light works to raise awareness and provide resources for mental health struggles among youth and young adults," CareSource reads.
Game recap
OU and WSU tipped off at 8:33 p.m. with OU winning the jump ball. Both teams came out tight, shaking off early nerves in their first exhibition game.
The first half was a back-and-forth battle, with both teams struggling to find a steady rhythm due to missed free throws and multiple turnovers. WSU's offense began clicking as they moved the ball effectively and fought for rebounds. A three-pointer from Logan Woods off a pass from Etumnu gave the raiders a one-point lead and two free throws from Michael Imariagbe put WSU ahead 11–10.
The Bobcats responded immediately, hitting a three-pointer followed by a layup to regain early control. The teams traded baskets for the remainder of the half with OU closing it out with a 26-22 lead.
The Raiders came out strong in the second half with Etumnu hitting a three-pointer off a pass from Cooper. Both players continued to add points as WSU found their rhythm. WSU also improved defensively, creating turnovers and grabbing rebounds off OU's missed shots.
Callaghan helped seal the game, scoring free throws and three-pointers. Though OU made a late-game free throw, it wasn’t enough to catch the Raiders, who finished with a 63-57 win.
Upcoming basketball season
The Raiders will not officially kick off their regular season until Nov. 3 at The Nutter Center against Franklin College, but this exhibition game served as valuable preparation. It gave the team a chance to shake off early-season rust, work on their chemistry and test different lineups in a competitive setting. With a full schedule ahead, WSU can build on the confidence and momentum gained from this strong showing as they head into the season.
With the exhibition behind them and fans like Brad Ammon eager to see what is next, the Raiders head into their regular season full of potential, ready to build on their performance and make an impact on the court.
“I’m excited to see the team progress and grow. It’s obviously a good starting point but there is always room for improvement, so I’m excited to see what the team can do over the season,” Ammon said. WSU fans are already looking forward to the season, he shared.
WSU showcased several standout players in this game with Cooper, Callaghan and Etumnu leading the scoring. These players and many more are expected to be key contributors as the raiders move forward into the season.
Austin Kawanishi, a fan at the game, spoke on players that caught his eye.
"I'm really excited to see the players develop. Number 13 looked electric out there and 55 was looking down on defense. I'm just excited to watch everyone grow this season and excited to watch everyone grow this season," Kawanishi said.
With their top players showing out and fans already excited, the Raiders are ready to take the energy from this exhibition into the regular season.
