The RoundHouse | 1/12/2022 10:27:00 PM
Wichita State could use a break, a fortunate bounce, a friendly face. Instead, the season keeps throwing obstacles at the Shockers, who operate on a thin margin of error.
The Shockers returned home to face Tulane, winless against Wichita State in six previous games. After tough losses to Memphis and No. 12 Houston, it seemed like an opportunity to get well. Then COVID-19 protocols benched starters
Dexter Dennis and
Morris Udeze on Wednesday.
For about 24 minutes, the Shockers handled that adversity and led by as many as 16 points. The final 16 minutes belonged to Tulane.
Tulane defeated the Shockers 68-67 by scoring 40 points and shooting 58.3 percent in the second half.
Wichita State led 11-0 and by 16 points late in first half. The Shockers led 42-28 at halftime. They moved the ball crisply for most of the first half. They scored on open shots and cuts to the basket. The ball movement and passing produced some of the season's best offensive moments for the Shockers, who also limited their turnovers.
Tulane coach Ron Hunter said the absence of Dennis and Udeze gave his team an excuse to relax.
We didn't play with energy," Hunter said. "We got hit in the mouth."
Wichita State went up 53-39 on a dunk by
Craig Porter Jr. after his steal. From there, the Green Wave (7-7, 4-1 American Athletic Conference) tightened up its defense and put the game in the hands of guards Jalen Cook and Jaylen Forbes. They drove into the lane, drew fouls, and scored to change the tempo.
"We didn't do a good job of guarding them in the second half," Wichita State coach
Isaac Brown said.
With eight Shockers available – and several of them not used to playing heavy minutes - fatigue played a role. While Wichita State's small lineup gave the Green Wave problems in the first half, the absence of Dennis and Udeze showed up late in the game.
The Shockers (9-6, 0-3) again endured scoring droughts. Brown said they stopped moving and passing as effectively as in the first half. They missed 10 of 12 three-pointers. Late-game possessions went awry and led to forced shots.
"We've got to keep battling," Brown said. "You can't point fingers. Teams that make it through these stretches – they clean up their mistakes."
Etienne finished with 20 points and made 6 of 13 three-pointers. Porter scored 18 points, grabbed nine rebounds and had four assists and four steals.
Ricky Council IV grabbed 15 rebounds and added 12 points.
Forbes scored 16 second-half points to finish with 20. Last season, guarded primarily by Dennis, he went 1 for 22 in two meetings. Tulane cut the lead to 56-54 with 11:03 to play and took its first lead with 7:20 to play, up 60-59. The Green Wave never led by more than two.
The Shockers took their final lead at 67-66 on Porter's shot with 2:49 to play. They missed their final three shots and a charging foul on Council wiped off the go-ahead basket with less than a second remaining.
"It's deflating," Etienne said. "We're 0-3. Can't change it. Got to keep going. We don't give up."
Tulane celebrated what Hunter characterized as a monumental victory. He challenged his team at halftime to win their first game against the Shockers.
"Not many people come in and win in Wichita," he said. "This is one of the hardest places in the country to play. I thought our defense was incredible the second half."
Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.
