The RoundHouse | 12/8/2024 4:40:00 PM

By Paul Suellentrop
 
Seven games in, Wichita State coach Terry Nooner watched enough layups. His team needed to dial back its aggressive defense and make opponents work for baskets.
 
Three games in with a new defensive approach, Nooner wants to see more and more.
 
The Shockers defeated previously unbeaten Western Kentucky 64-59 on Sunday at Koch Arena by holding the Hilltoppers to a season-low 28.4-percent shooting and far off their 80-point average entering the game.
 
Wichita State (4-6) started the season pressuring on defense, trapping, denying passes and trying to wear opponents down. Opponents shot 46.7 percent in the first seven games and averaged 75.4 points. The Shockers, trying to speed teams up and force turnovers, found themselves out of position and chasing.
 
"We were giving up a bunch of layups and a bunch of points in the paint," Nooner said.
 
After an 85-57 loss to Missouri, the Shockers changed their approach to building a wall around the basket and switching assignments to stay in front of ball-handlers. If an opponent is going to score, it's going to be over a hand.
 
"Protect the paint first," Nooner said. "We're being more solid, containing penetration and then being able to still build out to shooters."
 
The results over three games are exactly what Nooner hoped to see.
 
 

Swiper 🦊 pic.twitter.com/GdveogJZau

— Wichita State Women's Basketball (@GoShockersWBB) December 8, 2024

 
 
The Shockers held Prairie View A&M to 27.1 percent shooting and Kansas to 34.9. On Sunday, Western Kentucky (7-1) took a 15-11 lead in the first quarter. In the second, WSU held the Hilltoppers to 1-of-17 shooting to take a 28-19 halftime lead.
 
"Us being able to switch – anybody can guard anybody on this team," forward Bre'Yon White said. "The versatility throughout the team makes it good for this team."
 
The Shockers held the Hilltoppers to a season-low 21 baskets and a season-low 59 points. Guard Destiny Salary, who entered the game averaging 11.1 points, finished with six on 1-of-15 shooting. Acacia Hayes, averaging 12.9 points, scored seven on 3-of-12 shooting.
 
Protecting the paint paid off late in the game when Salary drove toward the basket and found two Shockers in her way. She jumped in the air and threw a pass that  guard KP Parr picked off. Her layup gave the Shockers a 60-52 lead.
 
"As long as we're communicating, I really don't see teams scoring that many points," Parr said.
 
The new defense also benefits the Shockers by keeping them in good position to box out and rebound. They out-rebounded Western Kentucky 52-42 after beating Kansas on the boards by five and Prairie View A&M by 15.
 
"I know we're athletic and I know we've got good individual defenders, so if we can get people just to keep people in front of us, then we don't have to help as much and scramble," Nooner said.
 
White registered her best game as a Shocker with 12 points and 11 rebounds. She scored 10 of those points in the second half. She took advantage of WKU's zone defenses by grabbing four offensive rebounds – eight total – in the second half.
 
Salese Blow led WSU with 13 points. Taylor Jameson added 10, nine in the second quarter when the Shockers grabbed the lead for good.
 
 

Cleanup on Aisle 12! 🧼 pic.twitter.com/vs4wFIMpf9

— Wichita State Women's Basketball (@GoShockersWBB) December 8, 2024

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