Postgame Comments:
Adams-Birch
WICHITA, Kan. – Wichita State took control early and held on to a lead that was as much as 22 to defeat Creighton, 62-54, Sunday afternoon in front of a Charles Koch Arena crowd of 2,003 fans.
The Shockers were led in scoring by
Rangie Bessard's 17 points while CU's Brianna Rollerson picked up a double-double with 20 points and 11 boards.
For the game, WSU out-shot the Bluejays, 46.9 percent to 33 percent.
The Shockers held Creighton scoreless over the first 3:16 of the first quarter and took a 7-4 lead into the first media timeout at 4:58 on the back of five points from Bessard. WSU extended the lead to seven during the next three minutes. CU cut the lead to five with two free throws that finished scoring for the quarter with WSU leading 19-14.
In the second quarter,
Keke Thompson's and-one gave WSU a 26-15 lead at the 8:07 mark and
Diamond Lockhart's three at 7:04 gave WSU's largest lead to that point at 29-17. WSU continued to extend the lead and was up 15, 32-17 at the 4:04 mark on a Bessard layup. WSU's lead extended to 16 on two Bessard free throws at 1:16, before a Thompson layup with 16 seconds left gave WSU a 40-22 lead.
For the half, WSU out-shot the Bluejays, 55.6 percent (15-27) to 28 percent (7-25) from the field and out-boarded the visitors, 16-15. CU also committed 11 turnovers and went 1-for-9 from the field for the half. Bessard led WSU with 12 points at the intermission while Rollerson led CU with nine points.
To open the third quarter, Bessard extended the lead to 20, 42-22, and the two teams traded baskets with CU cutting the lead to 16 by the media timeout. WSU's lead was 17 headed into the fourth quarter as the Bluejays won the frame, 14-13.
In the fourth, Creighton cut the lead to 10 at the 2:26 mark with an and-one by Lamberty, 59-49, and to eight, 59-51, on two free throws by Faber at 1:47. WSU made 3-of-6 free throws down the stretch to maintain the lead and win 62-54.
Wichita State is next in action 7 p.m., Tues., Nov. 15 against UMKC inside Charles Koch Arena.
