Langston University’s men’s basketball team continued its winning ways with two wins in last week’s NAIA regional and now face perennial powerhouse Georgetown (Ky.) in a Sweet 16 game, March 14 in Kansas City.
The postseason efforts have only amplified what a stunning turnaround it has been for the Lions, who are now 31-2 after winning one game in the 2021-22 season.
“I am humbled. I could not have done it without the effort of the players this season and the support of the athletic administration and President Dr. Kent Smith,” Coach Chris Wright said.
As a result of the turnaround, Wright has been rewarded with a four-year contract extension that is expected to be ratified by the Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents in April.
“I have never witnessed this magnitude of a program shift in one year,” Athletic Director Donnita Drain Rogers said. “The total culture of the men’s basketball program has been impacted by Coach Wright’s leadership.”
Langston opened the regional tournament on their home court with an 81-64 win against the Southern Oregon University Raiders.
Cortez Mosley led a quartet of Lions in double figures with 16 points. AJ Rainey (13 points), Tristan Harper (11) and James Ellis (10) were the other players. Toru Dean chipped in with 9 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists from his guard spot.
The Lions led at halftime 37-32 as SOU hit five 3-pointers to keep it close. But the Lions held the visitors to just 3 of 14 3-pointers in the second half, and closed it out by making 22 of 26 free throws.
“SOU is a well-coached team and we had to make some halftime adjustments to their 3-point shooting. Our defense was very good in the second half,” Wright said.
Against Southwestern College (Kan.), the Lions led 45-30 at half en route to an 87-65 win.
Langston shot a scorching 63% from 3-point range (12-for-19), while Southwestern was 5-for-15.
Rainey led all scorers with 32 points, going 7-for-8 from beyond the arc. Dean had 19 points and six assists from the other guard position. Harper had 11 points and five rebounds, while Mosley chipped in with 10 points and seven rebounds.
“We had a really good first half and I thought we started the second half a little slow the first six minutes, but then got refocused and played really well the rest of the way,” Wright said. “Southwestern is a good team with some really good players.”
The crowds both nights created a real home-court advantage for the Lions, most of them staying to see the nets cut down in celebration.
But, it’s the job Wright has done that has created the most buzz.
“Coach Wright has successfully fostered growth within the Langston University men’s basketball program, both athletically and academically,” said Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Ruth Ray Jackson.
“Our men’s basketball team had an average GPA of 3.14 for the fall semester, which is commendable of any team, and especially one competing at this level. The accomplishments of his studentathletes in the classroom are as impressive as their performance on the court.”
Of the team’s 16 members, 11 earned a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the fall 2022 semester.
“The success Coach Wright brings to this team and to our institution is special,” said Dr. Kent J. Smith, Jr., President of Langston University. “Their impact is not isolated to athletics alone; it’s building positive momentum for the institution at large. There are a lot of programs that would benefit from his style of coaching. We are happy that Coach Wright has found his home here at Langston.”
Wright is all too happy to coach here.
“Langston University is a very special place,” he said. “Our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the community have truly rallied aroundourprogram and helped us create a culture of success.
“The commitment from our president, director of athletics, administration, and everyone supporting our team has changed my life and the lives of the young men in this program for the better.”