The RoundHouse | 1/11/2021 10:58:00 AM

 
The Shockers beat Cincinnati 82-76 on Sunday and that matters, although not for reasons we've come to expect.
 
Over the previous three seasons, Cincinnati represented the top of the American Athletic Conference and the Shockers needed wins to join that group. This season, the Bearcats are at the bottom of the standings (at least for now) and the Shockers need to win those games because that's what teams at the top do.
 
"It was a big statement win for us," Shocker guard Tyson Etienne said.
 
That statement is more about the recent history of the rivalry than this season. Cincinnati had won six straight against the Shockers and possessed a special capability to make those losses sting. A one-point victory cost Wichita State a share of the AAC title in 2018. The Bearcats won three more by a three-pointer or less. The Bearcats entered Sunday 3-0 in Wichita since the Shockers joined the AAC in 2017-18.
 
 Those six- and three-game streaks received plenty of play in Wichita State's pre-game talks.
 
"I told those guys - this is your opportunity to put your name in the record books," interim coach Isaac Brown said.
 
Wichita State (7-3, 3-1 American) opens the week as one of four one-loss teams in the conference, behind Houston (5-1) and Tulsa (4-1) and ahead of Memphis (2-1). There is much work to be done, but to date the Shockers are checking almost every box for a start that deserves attention. 
 
They won at Tulsa and 3-3 USF and lost a competitive game at No. 11 Houston. Taking care of Cincinnati (3-7, 1-4) at home maintained the good feeling, fueled by a strong second half.
 
With Tulsa coming to Wichita on Wednesday, Wichita State faces another big game. Big games aren't as big without taking care of the others.
 
The Shockers scored 52 points in the second half in ways that showcased their experience, depth and youth on the rise. They shot 22 foul shots, recorded five steals and led by as many as 16 points in the second half. For the game, the Shockers scored 28 points off 15 Bearcats turnovers and grabbed 13 offensive rebounds.
 
"It's impossible to win that way," Cincinnati coach John Brannen said.
 
The Shockers displayed a balance in the second half that created the super-powered 20 minutes of scoring. 
 
Freshman forward Ricky Council IV scored 15 of his season-high 23 points in 14 second-half minutes. 
 
Guard Alterique Gilbert's quick hands and tenacity helped create two turnovers during a 7-0 run that handed control to the Shockers. Craig Porter Jr. scored six second-half points and kept the ball moving on offense when he ran the point. Tyson Etienne scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half and added three assists.
 
Brown uses his depth at guard to run Wichita State's dribble-drive offense and he likes the pressure they put on defense.
 
"Dribble-drive has been good for us," Brown said. "At times is going to look like they're playing one-on-one. But what it does, it helps us get in the bonus, and I feel like we're getting into the bonus before all the teams we play because of the dribble drive, and that's because we've got four guys on the floor that can handle the ball at one time."
 
Center Morris Udeze responded from a rough early stretch to score 12 second-half points. 
 
"In the first half, he got off to a slow start." Brown said. "I called timeout and I went at him hard, telling him 'Look, you're not playing the right way.' And he gave me a little look, and I said 'Mo, you're not playing the right way. You're not playing with a motor. You're not playing with energy.'"
 
That changed in the second half.
 
"He got on me a little bit, for being too casual," Udeze said. "I just stepped it up."
 
Brown got what he wanted from his most experienced big man – a good response to coaching.
 
"When he went in the second half, I feel like he took the game over," Brown said. "He made some big baskets inside and that helped open up our offense by him scoring the ball. We've been relying on our guards to, you know, dribble drive, make threes. It helps when you can start scoring from the inside out."
 
 Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.