WICHITA, Kan. – Wichita State held Chicago State to 34 points and less than 20 percent shooting from the field to win its season opener, 78-34, Tuesday afternoon in Charles Koch Arena.

Wichita State (1-0) was locked in on the defensive end from the opening tip, forcing 28 turnovers and holding the Cougars to 3-of-17 from beyond the arc. Despite the 44-point win, Wichita State struggled with its outside shot, finishing 3-of-17 as well. Overall, the Shockers shot 41 percent and converted 15-of-17 attempts at the free throw line.

Mariah McCully led four Shockers in double figures with 13 points to go with four rebounds and five assists. DJ McCarty added 11 points and Asia Strong added 10. In her collegiate debut, Ella Anciaux chipped in 10 points and eight rebounds off the bench. Seraphine Bastin pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds to go with six points.

Wichita State scored the first 15 points of the game, holding Chicago State scoreless for the first 6:30. The lead would grow to 25-2 at the end of the first quarter, behind the Cougars missing 14 of their 15 field goal attempts and 11 turnovers.

The Shockers' lead ballooned to as many as 29 in the opening minutes of the second quarter. Chicago State put together a few baskets to make it 40-15 at halftime. Wichita State was just 2-of-9 from three-point range but shot 47 percent overall. The Cougars finished the half 5-of-32 (16 percent) and 1-of-9 from beyond the arc.

The third quarter was much of the same as the first quarter. Wichita State outscored the Cougars, 23-9, in the third frame to take a 63-24 margin into the final 10 minutes.

Wichita State led by as many as 46 in the matchup with all 14 players seeing action that suited up. Eleven of those 14 players scored on the afternoon.

Up Next
Wichita State is on the road for its next three games, beginning with a trip to Wyoming to face the Cowgirls Saturday at 3 p.m. CT.