By Gavin Greer
On Sunday Purdue Fort Wayne men’s basketball team won their senior day matchup against Wright State 77-75. The win came off of senior Damian Chong Qui’s buzzer beater three pointer. This shot ended up as No. 1 on the Sports Center Top 10 for Sunday night.
To go with this game winner, Chong Qui scored 16 points for the Mastodons.
PFW’s Head Coach, Jon Coffman, talked about Chong Qui after the game.
“Damian’s deserved this. His numbers haven’t played out the way I think he is as a shooter and a scorer, but I keep telling him numbers play out. That confidence he has is playing out,” said Coffman.
Before the game PFW honored their four seniors, Jarred Godfrey, Bobby Planutis, Chong Qui and Ra Kpedi. Each senior played an important role in the tight win.
Godfrey led all scorers with 25 points. He also added five rebounds and two assists. Wright State was led in points by Alex Huibregtse who scored 24.
Kpedi’s contribution to the game came in the form of a game high 15 rebounds. This tied his career high. Wright State was led by Brandon Noel in this stat. Noel had 11 boards.
Planutis added seven points on ¾ shooting. He also grabbed two rebounds.
PFW started the game off hot, at one point taking a 12-point lead. Eventually the Mastodons cooled off and Wright State took control. This shift came after Wright State shot 63% in the second half. The miraculous shot by Chong Qui saved the Mastodons from having their senior day spoiled.
Chong Qui talked about his performance following the game.
“It’s an amazing feeling, definitely being senior night and being our last home game. To win that game the way we won it our last time being on this floor, it means a lot,” said Chong Qui.
With the loss Wright State drops to 16-13 on the season and 9-9 in Horizon League play. They sit at a tie with Robert Morris and Detroit Mercy for 6th in Horizon League.
Wright States next game will be Thursday against Oakland.
With the win PFW move to 16-13 on the year and 8-10 in Horizon League play. They are currently 9th in the Horizon League.
PFW’s next game will be on the road Thursday at 8:30 p.m. against Milwaukee.