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WICHITA, Kan. – A strong defensive performance helped give Wichita State a 63-45 win against Oklahoma Christian on Tuesday night in the Shockers' final game before they begin conference play.

WSU forced 27 turnovers and also had 34 defensive rebounds, while only allowing 19 rebounds by the Eagles. Wichita State also out-scored the Eagles in the paint, 36-14. The Eagles shot 27 percent from the field while the Shockers shot 46 percent.

Wichita State was led by a 19-point performance by Rangie Bessard. Bessard shot 8-for-9 from the field and also grabbed five rebounds. TaQuandra Mike also added 18 points, and also led WSU with seven rebounds and four assists.

Oklahoma Christian was led by Addy Clift who had 13 points and shot 5-for-13 from the field. Aisha Martin also added a team-high seven rebounds while Daisha Gonzaque contributed a team-high three assists.

Wichita State came out strong in the first half both offensively and defensively. The Shockers held the Eagles scoreless for the first four minutes of the game, taking a quick 11-0 lead.

WSU continued its good first quarter, with Bessard leading the way with 10 points, going 5-for-5 from the field. At the end of the first quarter, Wichita State made its lead, 19-10.

A quick 6-0 run by the Eagles to begin the second quarter cut the Shockers' lead to six, but the Oklahoma Christian run was quickly erased by a 13-1 Shocker run to end the second quarter giving WSU its largest lead of the game, 38-20 at halftime.

WSU came out strong to start the third quarter, but the Eagles did not back down, scoring three-straight baskets to make the Shocker's lead, 44-27.

Two straight baskets by the Eagles helped OC finish the third quarter strong, cutting the Shocker lead to 48-32.

A strong eight-point fourth quarter by Mike helped give the Shockers a 63-45 win over the Eagles.

Wichita State will be in action again on Friday, Jan. 1 as the Shockers begin conference play against Indiana State in Terre Haute, Ind., at 6:05 p.m.