The RoundHouse | 12/21/2024 9:51:00 PM

By Paul Suellentrop
 
The Shockers enjoyed the final minutes of this one, waving up the crowd, strutting around the court with big smiles, giving the no-doubt nod and soaking up the feeling of running an opponent out of Koch Arena.
 
"It definitely felt special," said guard Xavier Bell, who deserved his victory laps as the seconds ticked away.
 
Special because the Shockers played with the force and energy needed to win, no matter the opponent. Special because of a crowd of 8,253 and special because of the opponent. Wichita State defeated Kansas State 84-65 on Saturday at Koch Arena.
 
"They (fans) for sure gave us that extra boost," guard Justin Hill said. "I'm glad we learned from the last game. We need to come out with that urgency."
 
The Shockers (9-3) dominated the second half by pushing the tempo and attacking Kansas State's weakest defenders on their way to the rim. WSU outscored the Wildcats (6-5) 55-32 in the second half by making 17 of 27 shots (63 percent) and 18 of 20 foul shots (90 percent).
 
For the game, WSU outscored Kansas State 44-28 in the lane and that advantage decided the game. After giving up 14 second-chance points in the first half, the Shockers held the Wildcats to three in the second half and took away a crucial source of points for a struggling offense.
 
 

BRING THE HOUSE DOWN 😤 pic.twitter.com/UOgObZsoz7

— Wichita State Men's Basketball (@GoShockersMBB) December 22, 2024

 
 
Bell pounded away at the bigger Wildcats, pressured the rim and banked in shots for most of his 24 points. His attacks also produced five points at the line. Bijan Cortes got the pick-and-roll going in the second half and handed out four assists. Hill scored 13 points and made all six of his foul shots.

"We simplified things (after halftime) and made it go," WSU coach Paul Mills said. "Guys understood exactly what was happening. If you can go against a defense that isn't set, it's usually a pretty good advantage."
 
Repeatedly, off misses and turnovers, the Shockers moved fast and got into the Wildcat defense before it could build a wall.
 
"You can't let a team play to its strength," Wildcats coach Jerome Tang said as he pondered WSU's 16 points off turnover and 16 fast-break points. "They knew exactly who they wanted to attack, so they set a screen to get the switch they wanted. They put their heads down and went to the goal. They had a lot of shots at the rim."
 
All the talk about urgency and energy came from Tuesday's 74-64 loss to Kansas City, a game in which the Shockers displayed little until too late. On Saturday, Corey Washington continued to demonstrate he will be the Shocker to fly around, grab rebounds and hit the floor first.
 
Washington scored 18 points, making 6 of 8 shots, blocked two shots and grabbed 10 rebounds.
 
"Corey's momentum was contagious," Mills said.
 
The Shockers endured a tough video session after Tuesday's loss.
 
"We faced it," Bell said. "We owned it and got better."
 
While that loss deflated fans, Mills said the Shockers didn't over-react.
 
"Things don't always go well in life," he said. "It's your job to respond the right way. Snowflakes melt because of heat."
 
The Shockers did respond and in a way that should reward the fans who are sticking with them through ups and downs in recent seasons. They gave fans bragging rights in this infrequent series – Kansas State had won five straight starting in 2002 and resuming in 2021. If a K-State fan brought their "We own this state" sign, they kept it hidden.
 
Mills is happy for Shocker fans and thrilled to see his team play with that kind of force. However, cruising past Kansas State doesn't earn any extra points.
 
"It's a win," he said. "It's not going to look any different on the win-loss record."
 
It does not. Whether or not Saturday's memorable effort turns into a turning point or light-bulb moment will be determined over the next three months. Wichita State needs to dial up that intensity no matter the opponent.
 
 

Like a knife through butter.@XavierBell03 | 📺 ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/Itvpu0FiLE

— Wichita State Men's Basketball (@GoShockersMBB) December 22, 2024

 
 
Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.