WICHITA, Kan. -- A chorus of unsung heroes helped key Wichita State to an 81-63 victory over Longwood Saturday afternoon at Charles Koch Arena.
 
Jaron Pierre Jr. returned from a one-game absence with a season-high 20 points and walk-on Melvion Flanagan added 14 for the Shockers (5-4), who made a season-high 13 three-point field goals.
 
Jaykwon Walton added 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting and grabbed a team-high eight rebounds, while Craig Porter Jr. (16 points) matched his career-high with seven assists. Quincy Ballard didn't attempt a shot in 18 minutes but blocked five on the defensive end.
 
Nate Lliteras scored 11 points to pace defending Big South champion Longwood (5-5), which entered the day ranked 16^th nationally in field goal percentage (.499) but finished 14 percentage points below its season average (.359).
 
WSU (ranked 14^th in field goal percentage defense) has now held seven of its nine foes under the 40% mark.
 
The Shockers were in dire straits midway through the first half after Porter picked up two quick fouls and the Lancers raced to a nine-point lead.
 
In need of a spark, Brown turned to Flanagan – a Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College transfer who hadn't seen action in more than a month – and Pierre – who sat the entirety of last weekend's game at Kansas State.
 
Over the next 23 minutes, the Shockers exploded for 68 points (31 of them by Pierre and Flanagan) on 12-of-20 three-point shooting.
 
WSU closed the first half with points on 14 of its last 18 trips down the court after converting just 4-of-15 to start the day.
 
Walton's triple with 5:32 left in the half put the Shockers in front for good and kickstarted a 10-0 run.
 
By intermission the lead had grown to 43-29, helped by Pierre's 15 points and 14 from the foul-stricken Porter.
 
It was a 26-point game by the 7:50-mark of the second half.
 
Flanagan made back-to-back threes near, then sparked one of the plays of the night with a diving steal that led to a Walton slam on the opposite end and a 76-50 advantage.
 
Longwood outscored the Shockers 13-5 the rest of the way.
 

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BY THE NUMBERS:
 
24.1% -- Longwood's field goal percentage during the 18 minutes that Ballard patrolled the paint (compared to 45.7% in the 22 minutes he sat). Ballard had more blocks (5) then the Lancers did baskets (3) on 16 attempts from inside the arc.
 
41 – Combined points scored by Shocker players who did not see action at Kansas State last Saturday.
 
8:24 – First-half minutes logged by Porter after picking up his second foul at the 14:43-mark. He returned to the lineup with 10:59 to go in the half and WSU trailing 17-8. By the time he left the court (2:36 1H) his team had a comfortable 11-point lead. Porter's line during that stretch: 12 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 3/3 FG, 1/1 3pt, 5/5 FT.
 

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NOTABLE:
 
WSU has defeated all three of its first-time opponents this year (Longwood, Richmond and Grand Canyon) and will take aim at a fourth on Tuesday when it welcomes Mississippi Valley State to the Roundhouse.
 
The Shockers improved to 2-1 this year against 2022 NCAA tournament teams.
 
Pierre becomes the fourth different Shocker to top 20 points this year, joining Walton (2x), Porter and Okafor.
 

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QUOTABLE:
 
Isaac Brown on Melvion Flanagan's performance:
"Every day in practice, no matter what team he's on, that team has a chance to win because of his energy and the way he can make shots. We were struggling and sluggish. I just felt it was time to give him an opportunity, and he took full advantage. He came in the game, picking up the other team's point guard full court. That helped us dictate our defense. He can drive the basketball, shoot the three and he plays with a lot of confidence. He was great."
 

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UP NEXT:
 
Wichita State is home again Tuesday night against Mississippi Valley State (7 p.m. CT, ESPN+). Tickets are available online at goshockers.com/tickets, by phone at 316-978-FANS (3267) or in-person at the Shocker Ticket Office, open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the southwest corner of Charles Koch Arena.