The RoundHouse | 11/9/2022 9:05:00 PM

 
The responsibilities of a point guard often start with acting as a coach on the floor. To do that, communication is a must.
 
That served as the lesson for Wichita State after Wednesday's 67-53 win over Alcorn State at Koch Arena.
 
Shockers coach Keitha Adams called it a frustrating victory and a lack of communication made her list of issues. While foul trouble and the absence of center Jane Asinde contributed, Adams wasn't happy with how the Shockers (1-0) handled an overmatched opponent.
 
"Lot of little things we didn't do well," she said. "Our communication on the court's got to get a whole lot better. We've got to get all in sync. Our transition defense – I thought we had moments we weren't matched up and had people loose. That's a reflection of communication. We've really got to talk more."
 
That starts with point guards DJ McCarty and Nhug Bosch Duran, both of whom are stepping into bigger roles after the departure of Seraphin Bastin and Mariah McCully. McCarty led the Shockers with 17 points and four steals. Bosch Duran led the Shockers with five assists and a plus/minus of plus-22.
 
Adams played the guards in combo much of the night to combat the trapping defenses used by Alcorn State (0-2).
 
But while the guards played well individually, their job is also to organize teammates and pass on instructions from coaches.
 
"It's on me to get my teammates to echo what she's saying," McCarty said. "It's taking what I learned playing behind (Bastin) last year and taking what coach used to tell her and making sure I focus in on what she wants."
 
 

Trajata Colbert with the first 4 points of the season after this up-and-under move in the paint. pic.twitter.com/Xr2HJTquz5

— Wichita State Women's Basketball (@GoShockersWBB) November 10, 2022

 
 
Adams calls that the "echo system." On Wednesday, she talked, and nothing bounced back from the Shockers.
 
"The point guard should echo me, and then the teammates should echo them," Adams said. "I'm hollering over there and, pfft, there's zero echo."
 
Without Asinde, Trajata Colbert took over as the focus of the interior attack. She scored 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds while playing through foul trouble. Backup center Ella Anciaux scored nine points on 4-of-5 shooting, all in the first half. Shamaryah Duncan also added nine points.
 
The Shockers held Alcorn State to 27.1 percent shooting, 2 of 15 from three-point range. Wichita State enjoyed a seven-point edge at the foul line. Alcorn State kept it close – within five late in the third period – with offensive rebounds and turnovers. The Braves, who lost 82-33 at Tulsa on Monday, grabbed 21 offensive rebounds and scored 11 second-chance points. Wichita State committed 20 turnovers, leading to 13 points for Alcorn State.
 
"We have a lot of work to do," Colbert said.
 
The Shockers will need to show their work away from Koch Arena. Four of their next five games are away from home. Their lone home game in that stretch is Nov. 19 vs. North Texas.
 
Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.