WICHITA – Morris Udeze and Tyson Etienne each scored 20 points to help host Wichita State put away Tulsa, 72-53, Wednesday evening at Charles Koch Arena.
The Shockers (8-3, 4-1 American) won for the seventh time in eight tries and moved to within a half-game of 5-1 Houston atop the standings.
Elijah Joiner scored 11 points to lead Tulsa (7-4, 4-2), which saw its six-game winning streak snapped. The Golden Hurricanes hadn’t lost since Dec. 15 – the last time the two teams met – and were receiving votes in the Associated Press Poll.
WSU made a season-high 11 threes on 38 percent accuracy and outscored the visitors 15-3 at the foul line.
The Shocker defense held Tulsa to 33 percent from the field and a frigid 4-of-29 from distance (.138).
Udeze knocked down 6-of-7 from the field and 8-of-9 at the foul line en route to his first career 20-point performance. His eight rebounds was also a personal-best.
Etienne topped the 20-point barrier for the fourth time in six games and for the fifth time overall this season. He was 6-of-15 from the field with five three-point field goals and also tallied three steals.
Ricky Council IV added 11 points and five rebounds off the bench.
Alterique Gilbert handed out a season-high eight assists – most by a Shocker this year.
WSU built a 15-point lead late in the first half. Council made two threes to key a 9-0 run to make it 37-22 with 1:35 to play in the period.
Four weeks ago in Tulsa the Golden Hurricanes battles back from a 17-point first-half deficit to make a game of it. They showed similar fight on Wednesday.
The Shockers missed nine-straight shots, and Tulsa capitalized with a 12-0 run to draw within 47-42 near the midway point of the second half.
WSU rediscovered its rhythm over the final nine-and-a-half minutes, making seven of its last 11 shots. Up eight with 3:31 left, the Shockers finished the game on a 12-0 run.
--goshockers.com--