The RoundHouse | 2/15/2023 9:07:00 PM

 By Paul Suellentrop
 
Wichita State started the fourth quarter with a four-point lead over Tulsa, not much comfort against a team that can go "three-six-nine in a heartbeat," as coach Keitha Adams said.
 
Wichita State took that behind-the-arc danger out of the game by playing the fourth quarter on its terms - get shots in the lane from its senior bigs, play physical, draw fouls. The Shockers scored 11 baskets, nine in the paint and two from a step or two outside the lane. They dominated the fourth quarter on their way to an 84-68 win over Tulsa at Koch Arena.
 
"You can never relax," Adams said. "They're going to shoot 30-some threes a game."
 
Tulsa did that in the January meeting against the Shockers, taking over a close game with a display of outside shooting. The Hurricane made five three-pointers and outscored WSU 28-14 in the fourth quarter to win 70-63 after trailing by seven points.
 
Wichita State (15-11, 5-8 American Athletic Conference) refused to give Tulsa those openings in the rematch. The senior duo of Trajata Colbert and Jane Asinde took over the final 10 minutes with each making all five of their shots and two free throws to score 12 points.
 
Asinde finished with a career-high 27 points and 12 rebounds. Colbert recorded 21 points and 14 rebounds.
 
"When you're making shots, you get a lot more confidence," Colbert said.
 
Up 56-52 entering the fourth, Colbert and Asinde combined for Wichita State's first 12 points and a lead of 68-59 with 4:06 to play. Tulsa (16-9, 6-6) didn't get closer than eight points the rest of the game as Asinde and Colbert continued to score.
 
The Shockers outscored Tulsa 44-16 in the paint and 15-2 on second-chance points.
 
"Jata shot the ball really well and Jane attacked the rim," Adams said. "The presence they gave us in the paint. Outstanding."
 
In all, the Shockers made 11 of 13 shots and 6 of 7 free throws to score 28 fourth-quarter points. Foul trouble on Tulsa's Temira Poindexter, the lone big in Tulsa's four-guard lineup, helped clear space in the lane.
 
"I felt like I could drive more because I had a small guard on me," Asinde said. "I took that as an advantage to take the ball to the basket."
 
The Shockers set up that superb 10 minutes with a strong defensive effort and good ball-handling. They held the Hurricane 37.5-percent shooting, 10 of 35 from three-point range. Wichita State forced 15 turnovers and committed 12.
 
"We played really hard," Adams said. "We really stressed all week picking up the ball above the three-point line, having our heels on the three-point line. Being up knowing they want to come down and shoot threes."
 
Colbert said the Shockers let Tulsa's style of play and hot shooting bother them in the first meeting. On Wednesday, the Shockers stayed composed when the Hurricane made a run early in the second half to get within two points. Ambah Kowcun responded with a three-pointer and then Asinde ran off eight points to give Wichita State a 53-45 lead.
 
"We just had to be patient," Asinde said. "We had to take good shots. Stay composed."
 
Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.