The RoundHouse | 12/5/2021 8:15:00 PM

 
 
No shots from the logo. No last-minute magic. No second-half takeovers. Wichita State's formula for a strong start this season disappeared on Sunday at Intrust Bank Arena.
 
The result was a disappointing 65-59 loss to Kansas State in the school's first meeting since 2003.
 
Wichita State (6-2) shot poorly, frittered away leads, and stumbled in the game's final minutes against the Wildcats (5-2), who were missing leading scorer Nijel Pack due to a concussion.
 
"I love this team," Shockers forward Dexter Dennis said. "We're all positive guys. We all work hard. I wouldn't change anything about it, but we've got to get better."
 
Dennis suggested all the Shockers take a look in the mirror and think about how they can help the team win. The areas needing polish are clear.
 
Wichita State shot 19 of 54 from the field and 5 of 23 from three-point range. Those misses short-circuited several opportunities to build a significant lead. Fourteen turnovers – eight in the second half – also contributed to ruining the offensive effort.
 
"Too many crucial turnovers," Shocker coach Isaac Brown said. "Every time we got out in transition, we turned it over."
 
In previous games, Wichita State worked through its shooting and execution problems with defense and hustle.
 
On Sunday, they couldn't overcome those negatives.
 
The Shockers held the Wildcats to 33.9 percent shooting. Kansas State, however, only committed seven turnovers and took eight more shots than the Shockers.
 
Kansas State limited the Shockers to three fast-break points and three second-chance points to take away any easy opportunities. When forced to play offense in the half-court, the Shockers generated few good shots other than when center Morris Udeze went to work in the post.
 
Udeze provided the only consistent source of offense with 19 points on 7-of-8 shooting. Guard Tyson Etienne continued his season-long struggles by missing 16 of 20 shots and 10 of his 11 threes. He scored 11 points. No other Shocker reached double figures.
 
"We didn't do a good job on offense tonight," Brown said. "We just took tough shots. When you take tough shots, this is what happens. We'll learn from it."
 
Brown regretted not getting Udeze more shots. Turnovers contributed to that. Poor shot selection contributed.
 
"First half, we played through the big guy (Udeze)," Dennis said. "Second half, we did force a lot of contested shots."
 
Even with all those issues, the Shockers led for more than 25 minutes. They will spend the week thinking about its failure to knock out the Wildcats early in the game and again in the second half.
 
The Shockers led 17-5, 20-8 and 24-14 in the first half. In the second half, they led 44-37 and had two possessions to extend that edge. Then Wichita State led 44-39 and missed five shots and committed two turnovers with a chance to add on. That drought turned the game and allowed the Wildcats to take a 46-44 lead.
 
Ricky Council IV made a long three to tie it 54-all with 2:02 to play. Then the Wildcats took over with an 8-0 run.
 
The Shockers started the regular season pointing to a five-game stretch as crucial. They went 3-2 with wins at UNLV, at Missouri and at Oklahoma State and losses to Arizona in overtimes and Kansas State. That is a good effort, but also one that feels frustrating close to being much better.
 
Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.