The RoundHouse | 11/29/2022 10:26:00 PM

 
 
There might be more painful ways to see a win slip away than watching as free throws bounce off the rim. Not many, and not many Wichita State wants to ponder.

Wichita State did a lot of good things – starting with shooting and bench play – in an 88-84 loss to Missouri in overtime at Koch Arena. Those plusses can help the rest of the season, but they made Tuesday's loss even more frustrating. The Shockers, who entered the game shooting 72.1 percent from the line, went 6 of 14.
 
Add in 20 turnovers and the Shockers (4-3) will regret many unforced errors that kicked away the game when they watch the video.
 
"In the moment, it's obviously heartbreaking," Wichita State guard Craig Porter Jr. said. "It hurts. We know that that game was easily winnable. We got unfocused and it came down to the wire."
 
The most painful misses came in the final two minutes when the Shockers had a chance to close it out. James Rojas made one and missed one to give WSU a 75-74 lead with 1:06 to play. Xavier Bell missed two free throws with 24 seconds to play with the Shockers up 75-74.
 
Missouri (8-0) tied it 75-75 with 10 seconds to go and then never trailed in overtime.
 
 

THAT'S LIKE SEVEN HIGHLIGHTS IN ONE PLAY 🤯

We're back in front!

📺 https://t.co/215UAlOtTw @ESPNPlus pic.twitter.com/kbdHgwelnx

— Wichita State Men's Basketball (@GoShockersMBB) November 30, 2022

 
 
Porter had a chance to win the game in the final two seconds but missed a runner in the lane badly. He said he flashed back to last season when former Shocker Ricky Council was called for a charge in the final second, wiping away the go-ahead basket, in a 68-67 loss to Tulane.
 
"That's probably the easiest shot I'm going to get all year," Porter said. "I thought he was going to take the charge. I need to finish plays like that."
 
Wichita State coach Isaac Brown targeted three areas that doomed the Shockers. Free throws ruined the end of the game. Missouri grabbed 15 offensive rebounds to score 15 second-chance points, a problem throughout the game. Wichita State committed a season-high 20 turnovers, leading to 29 Missouri points.
 
"To win close games like that, you've got to rebound," Brown said. "You've got to step to the line and make free throws. They did a better job than us tonight."
 
Those issues – credit Missouri's pressure defense with wearing on the Shockers – ruined another good shooting night for the Shockers. Wichita State made 54.1 percent of its shots and 12 of 29 (a season-high 41.4 percent) from three-point range. It is the second straight game the Shockers shot better than 50 percent from the field.
 
Wichita State's bench gave the Shockers a significant boost.
 
"We can grow and learn from this," Brown said. "Guys are stepping up and making shots."
 
Guard Shammah Scott handled the Tigers defense in the first half when the Shockers struggled to score and gave Porter a break. Scott finished with nine points, five assists and one turnover. Gus Okafor added 11 points and made 2 of 4 three-pointers. Jaron Pierre Jr. scored 13 points.
 
"We proved that we're a good team," said forward Jaykwon Walton, who had 14 points and 10 rebounds. "We've got a lot of grit. Lot of little mistakes that we can fix."
 
Wichita State cut down on turnovers early in the second half and a 16-0 run gave it a 52-45 lead and brought the fans to life in Koch Arena.
 
The Shockers led 66-56 with 5:15 to play. They led 71-64 with 3:07 to play. They did not close it out and turnovers and missed free throws stung.
 
"We didn't take care of the basketball," Brown said. "You cannot turn the basketball over. You've got to make free throws."
 
Missouri coach Dennis Gates gave the Shockers much credit for their halftime adjustments and their preparation. He also credited his team for sticking together and learning from the game's tough moments.
 
"These situations allow you to figure out who you are," Gates said. "That game was a high-level game. To be able to come out with a victory, that says a lot."
 
That, once the pain of the loss fades, is what Wichita State needs to remember.
 
Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.