CARBONDALE, Ill. - Cleanthony Early led all scorers with 23 points as Wichita State opened up MVC play with a road win over Southern Illinois. Fred VanVleet chipped in 17 points and dished out seven assists, while Nick Wiggins scored a season high 13 points in the win. The Salukis were led by 19 point efforts from Sean O'Brien and Desmar Jackson.

The Shockers shot 60 percent from the field (30-for-50), including 9-for-20 from behind-the-arc, while Southern Illinois ended the game shooting 54.1% from the field (20-for-37) and 7-for-13 from three-point range. Early shot an efficient 8-for-11 and Wiggins was a perfect 5-for-5.

Wichita State jumped out to an early 19-14 lead behind back-to-back baskets by Darius Carter. Early and VanVleet expanded the lead to 27-14 with two back-to-back old fashioned three-point plays that capped a 12-0 Shocker run. 

The Shockers would extend its lead to 36-18 after VanVleet hit a trey from behind-the-arc and Wiggins followed the VanVleet three by connecting on two three-pointers of his own to highlight the 21-3 Shocker run in the first half. Early would give Wichita State its biggest lead of the half at 42-22 after a highlight one-handed jam in transition. 

Southern Illinois would cut into the Wichita State lead after going on a 7-0 run to get within 44-31, but VanVleet would halt the Saluki momentum with his second trey of the first half as the Shockers took a 49-32 lead into intermission. 

VanVleet led all scorers at the break with 15 points, while Early chipped in 11. Southern Illinois was led by Sean O'Brien with 11 points in the first half. 

Early scored six of the first eight points for Wichita State to start the second half to give the Shockers its biggest lead of the game at 57-35. Southern Illinois answered with an 8-2 run of its own to get within 59-43 and would get as close as 79-67 after a pair of free-throws from Desmar Jackson. Tekele Cotton would put the game away with a corner three to give the Shockers the 82-67 win.

The Shockers are next in action on Sunday, Jan. 5 at 1 p.m. when they host Northern Iowa inside of Charles Koch Arena.

-WICHITA STATE-