The RoundHouse | 11/23/2021 8:59:00 PM

 
 
Mariah McCully said the Shockers didn't need to talk much about their previous defeat. They watched film and that said it all.
 
"We didn't have to say anything," she said. "The score of the game – it set me back and made me take a look."
 
Wichita State had a lot to think about and it responded with an 86-71 win over Prairie View A&M on Tuesday at Koch Arena. The Shockers controlled the game with their defense by holding the Panthers (1-5) to 33.3-percent shooting and forcing 16 turnovers. Wichita State (4-1) scored 22 points off those turnovers.
 
A fast turnaround after Saturday's 87-55 loss at Northern Iowa gave the Shockers a reason to move on and focus on defense.
 
"You have to turn the page and you have to bounce back," coach Keitha Adams said. "Our defense is what really has to set the tone. That's where it all starts."
 
Wichita State turned up the defensive pressure in the second quarter to turn a tie game into a 43-29 halftime advantage. It forced seven turnovers in quarter and scored 15 points off those turnovers. It took 13 of its 19 shots in the lane and scored 16 points on those shots.
 
In the third quarter, the Shockers outscored the Panthers 29-17 to extend the lead to 72-46. Adams cleared her bench for most of the final period, allowing the Panthers to cut into the lead.
 
McCully and Asia Strong both finished with two steals and they led the way on defense in the second quarter. The Shockers swarmed and trapped and the takeaways led to easy baskets.
 
"I was definitely focused on defense," Strong said. "You've got to play defense."
 
Wichita State made a season-high 47.5-percent of its shots. Jane Asinde, making her first start as a Shocker, scored 17 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. McCully and Strong both added 14 points. DJ McCarty came off the bench to score 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting.
 
 

2:19 2Q | PVAM 24, WSU 37

The defense is creating havoc, forcing a Prairie View timeout.

An 11-2 run has given us some breathing room. pic.twitter.com/gjwOaseCar

— Wichita State Women's Basketball (@GoShockersWBB) November 24, 2021

It all came back to defense and the good shots it created in the mind of McCully.
 
"I was watching film on myself, and I was trying to figure out where I could improve," she said. "Defense is something I was really lacking in. I figured if I could get my defense going, my offense would come naturally."
 
Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.