TULSA, Okla. – Behind a career-high 23 points from
DJ McCarty, Wichita State blitzed Oral Roberts, 89-67, Wednesday night in the Mabee Center.
Oral Roberts had now answer for Wichita State (2-1) all night long, as the Shockers did whatever they wanted on the offensive end.
McCarty poured in 17 of her 23 in the first half on 11-of-17 shooting to go with three assists and three steals.
Trajata Colbert reached double figures for the third straight game to begin the season with 19 points. She was 8-for-10 from the floor.
Curtessia Dean added 16 points and
Jane Asinde logged 12 points and 10 rebounds in her season debut.
The Shockers dominated the paint, scoring 66 of their 87 points inside and outrebounded the Golden Eagles 49-27. Wichita State also scored 29 points off 19 ORU turnovers on a night when they would attempt only seven three-pointers.
Wichita State shot a blistering 56 percent from the field in the opening quarter to build a 27-21 lead. McCarty scored eight of the team's first 14 points before Dean got hot for seven quick points.
At the 6:27 mark of the second quarter Wichita State grabbed a double-digit lead behind a Colbert layup, but Oral Roberts five straight to creep back within five. Following an Oral Roberts three-pointer at the 2:37 mark, Wichita State would close the half on a 7-1 run to take a 50-36 lead into the locker room.
The Shockers finished the half shooting 52.4 percent and dominated the glass, outrebounding the Golden Eagles, 25-8, including 12 offensive rebounds.
McCarty poured in 17 first half points, just three shy of her career high, on 8-of-12 shooting to go with three steals. Dean (9) and Colbert (8) rounded out the leading scorers in the first 20 minutes.
Wichita State maintained a double digit lead for the entire third quarter and led 72-57 after 30 minutes.
Just over two minutes into the final period, Wichita State grabbed a 20-point margin and would effectively put the game away. The lead would grow to as many as 22 over the final 6:25.
Up Next
Wichita State returns to Charles Koch Arena on Saturday at 2 p.m. to face North Texas.
