EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Ron Baker and Darius Carter scored 18 points each, and No. 13 Wichita State held the Missouri Valley Conference's top scoring offense in check during a 61-41 victory over Evansville, Saturday afternoon at the Ford Center.

The win, coupled with a loss by Indiana State, moved WSU (16-2, 6-0 MVC) into sole possession of first place in the conference race.

Evansville (13-5, 3-3 MVC) came in averaging 72.1 points on 51 percent shooting but hit just 30 percent against the Shockers on its way to a season-low 41 points.

WSU held Evansville scoreless for over nine minutes during one second-half stretch, during which the Shockers expanded an 18-15 lead into a 28-15 advantage. A 10-2 run early in the second half expanded the lead 20, and the Shockers cruised from there.

Carter posted his fourth double-double of the year, collecting 11 rebounds to go with his 18 points on 6-of-12 shooting. Carter hit all four of his shots from the field in the second half.

Tekele Cotton helped shut down the MVC's leading scorer. D.J. Ballentine finished with 16 points for the Aces but needed 17 shots to do it. Cotton also scored six points and dished out four assists with just one turnover.

Cotton and Baker took turns running the point with starter Fred VanVleet in foul trouble most of the way. VanVleet, who picked up back-to-back whistles with just over 16 minutes to go in the first half, played just 17 minutes but finished with seven points, five rebounds and three assists.

Baker did most of his damage from the foul line, hitting 8-of-9 free throws on his way to 18. He blocked three shots and tallied four steals.

The Shockers won their 24th consecutive MVC game, extending their modern conference record and won their 12th straight Valley road game.

WSU - 6-0 in MVC play just the fifth time in school history – hits the road again Wednesday for a 7 p.m. game at Missouri State on Cox Channel Kansas.

Purchase all your Shocker merchandise at the official Wichita State Team Store.

-Wichita State-