WICHITA, Kan. – Wichita State battled back time and again Tuesday night inside Charles Koch Arena, but Florida Atlantic escaped with a 79-77 overtime win in an American Athletic Conference matchup.
 
The Shockers (5-20, 2-10 American) were led by another huge performance from Abby Cater as the graduate guard scored 27 points and grabbed eight rebounds, her fourth 20-plus point game of the season. Diamond Richardson also finished in double figures for sixth time this season, scoring 15 points.
 
The Shockers scored 16 points off Owl turnovers, but Florida Atlantic's (11-13, 5-7 American) Erin Rodgers put up a team-high 24 points, scoring eight in overtime to help secure the two-point win.
 
Wichita State came out aggressive, jumping to a 17-13 lead after the opening quarter behind a balanced scoring effort. Jaila Harding hit her 71^st three of the season to claim the No. 2 spot outright on the Shockers' all-time single-season threes list, and the Shockers added 12 first-quarter points in the paint
 
FAU answered in the second quarter, using a 58.3 percent shooting performance in the frame to take a 31-28 lead into halftime. The Owls' efficiency continued into the second half as both teams traded runs in a tightly contested third quarter.
 
Trailing 50-46 entering the fourth, Wichita State responded with one of its best stretches of the night. The Shockers shot 50 percent in the fourth period and outscored FAU 21-17 to force overtime. Cater and McDonald combined for key baskets down the stretch, scoring nine and eight points, respectively, in the quarter.
 
In overtime, neither side led by more than two possessions. Wichita State had opportunities at the line and in the paint, finishing with a 52-38 advantage in points in the paint and a 23-9 edge in second-chance points. However, FAU converted key free throws in the extra period to seal the outcome, while the Shockers only hit two of six from the charity stripe in overtime.
 
The Owls shot an even 50 percent from the field (28-of-56) and knocked down 18-of-24 free throws. Wichita State shot 41.7 percent overall and 14-of-22 from the line.
 
The Shockers head to Houston, Texas on Friday, Feb. 13 to take on the conference-leading Owls of Rice (21-3, 11-0 American) at 7 p.m. in Tudor Fieldhouse.