GREENVILLE, N.C. – Wichita State squandered a 13-point halftime lead in a 61-59 overtime loss at East Carolina Wednesay night.

Wichita State (11-11, 2-7) has now dropped four straight in conference play with the overtime defeat. Wichita State is now 2-2 in overtime contests under Keitha Adams and 19-22 all time. It's the second straight season in which the Shockers have needed extra time.

Asia Strong recorded her second straight game in double figures with a team-high 15 points, but was just 4-of-13 from the field. Nhug Bosch Duran tied her season high with 12 points behind a season-best four three-pointers. Mariah McCully added 10 points and six rebounds. Seraphine Bastin grabbed 10 rebounds to go with seven points and six assists.

East Carolina's Taniyah Thompson poured in a game-high 29 points on 9-of-17 from the field and 8-of-10 from the free throw line. It was her three clutch free throws in the final seconds of regulation that sent the game to overtime.

Wichita State shot 58 percent from the field in the first half, but was a miserable 4-of-33 (12.1 percent) in the second half and overtime. They finished at 31 percent overall. The Shockers did convert at the free throw line on the night, going 14-of-16.

ECU was just 5-for-20 from beyond the arc and shot a hair better from the field at 32 percent.

Thompson hit a pair of three-pointers in the opening minutes to give ECU an early 8-4 lead. The Pirates would extend their lead to 13-5 before Wichita State scored the final five points of the quarter.

Wichita State carried that momentum into the second quarter where they took complete control. The Shockers used a 13-2 run to outscore ECU 24-8 in the period. Behind 58 percent shooting, Wichita State took a 34-21 lead into the locker room.

Bosch Duran splashed in two triples around a wide open McCully three-pointer and an offensive rebound putback for Bastin to close the half.

McCully, Strong and Trajata Colbert all scored seven points apiece in the first 20 minutes, while the defense held ECU to just 32 percent shooting.

Wichita State's offensive struggles from the previous three games showed up in the third quarter. ECU used a 13-3 run to cut the deficit to just three with 1:45 remaining in the quarter. A Bosch Duran three-pointer from the corner snapped the Pirates' run to make it 40-34 with 1:00 left.

Following two Jane Asinde free throws, ECU responded with a three-point play to make it 42-38 after three quarters. ECU outscored the Shockers 17-8 in the frame thanks to Wichita State missing 16 of its 18 attempts from the floor.  

ECU came all the way back from a 13-point halftime deficit to retake the lead, 43-42, on a three-pointer just 1:15 into the fourth quarter.

Wichita State quickly took the lead right back after two Strong free throws and a three-point from Asinde, but ECU had another response. The Pirates struck back with seven unanswered to take a 50-47 lead at the 4:28 mark, forcing a Keitha Adams timeout.

Four straight points from Strong at the free throw line gave the Shockers a one-point lead with 2:36 on the clock. Neither team would over the next 2:00 until Taniyah Thompson split two free throws for ECU, tying the game at 51.

Holding for the final shot, Bastin drove in the lane and kicked out to a wide-open Bosch Duran who calmly swished a go-ahead three-pointer with only 6.8 seconds to go. After an ECU timeout, Bosch Duran fouled Thompson on a three-point attempt with barely any time running off the clock. Trailing by three the Pirates needed all three free throws to stay alive, and Thompson delivered.

With one last chance, Carla Bremaud had a good look off an offensive rebound for the game-winner, but it bounced off the back rim, sending the game to overtime.

In the overtime period, ECU scored the first five points – all on Synia Johnson free throws. Wichita State didn't score its first point until the 1:49 mark behind a pair of Bastin free throws. An uncontested corner trey for McCully tied the game at 59 and under a minute to go.

Thompson's 28th and 29th points came on an offensive rebound stick-back with 24 seconds on the clock. The Shockers' final chance was turned away when Tylar Bennett blocked Bastin's layup attempt as time expired.

Up Next
Wichita State hosts SMU this Saturday, Feb. 12 in Charles Koch Arena for its annual Pink Game. Admission is only $5 for fans who wear pink.