WICHITA, Kan. - Cleanthony Early scored 16 points and snagged six rebounds to lead Wichita State to a 66-41 victory over Northern Iowa in the Missouri Valley Conference opener for both clubs.

Early, a junior college transfer from Middletown, N.Y., went 6-of-11 from the field and was one of four Shockers to score in double figures. Malcolm Armstead added 14 and a team high five assists. Demetric Williams and Tekele Cotton each had 12 for the Shockers in their third straight victory following a Dec. 13 loss at Tennessee.

With UNI leading 7-4 following their only consecutive baskets of the game, Wichita State began their takeover of the first half going on a 13-2 run to take a 17-9 lead with 9:24 remaining on a 3-pointer from Early.  The Shockers were able to extend their lead to 30-16 just before half on a pair of free throws from Jake White before UNI's Deon Mitchell made a layup as time expired.

It was more of the same in the second half as the Shockers were never seriously challenged by the visiting Panthers stretching their lead to 30 on a pair of made free throws from Armstead with 5:51 remaining.

Wichita State's smothering defense held UNI to 32 percent shooting for the game and held the Panthers without a single player reaching double figures. The Shockers continued their dominance on the glass, outrebounding the Panthers 40-22. The Shockers have yet to be outrebounded in a game this season.

The Shockers make their first Valley road trip of the season traveling to Drake for a 7:05 p.m. on Wed., Jan. 2.

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- WICHITA STATE -