The RoundHouse | 2/5/2026 8:42:00 AM
By
Paul Suellentrop
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Charlotte entered Koch Arena tied for first place and on a four-game win streak on Wednesday. The 49ers also had to remember putting 104 points on the Shockers on Jan. 3 in double overtime.
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The rematch had to go differently if Wichita State wanted to remain in the American Conference race. It did, especially in the second half in which the Shockers did all the tough, physical things necessary to win 74-64 and hold the 49ers to their lowest score and worst shooting percentage in conference play.
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"We did a pretty good job making it difficult shots for them," Wichita State forward
Karon Boyd said. "Turning shooters into drivers and really not letting them get where they wanted to go."
Yes, the 49ers went about everywhere they wanted in that 104-100 win in January, especially as they cut WSU's 18-point lead in half during a six-minute stretch in the second half.
The Shockers had the right plan and the right force to change that on Wednesday after halftime adjustments.
The 49ers missed eight of nine three-pointers and 20 of their 30 shots in the second half and didn't record an assist.
That's how the plan worked for the Shockers (14-9, 6-4 American).
WSU led 35-34 at halftime, but the defense wasn't where coach
Paul Mills wanted. The Shockers gave up on a 50-50 ball. Defenders went under screens to give Charlotte's Dezayne Mingo – who scored 26 points and handed out 10 assists in January – two open three-pointers.
"The game's not going to be won in the first five minutes, but the tone is going to be set," Mills said. "We need to make sure that the opposition understand 'It's our job to make you play poorly.' I did not think we did that in the first half."
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In the second half Wednesday, the Shockers made the 49ers (13-10, 7-3) into a one-dimensional team by refusing to surrender three-pointers to the conference's third-best shooting team. Wichita State defended the arc aggressively, forced the 49ers to drive and didn't leave shooters to play help defense.
Charlotte's five assists and 15 turnovers proved to Mills the approach worked. Instead of passes to open shooters, the Shockers made the 49ers handle the ball and navigate physical defense.
Mingo, in that January game, took over during the game-turning stretch by scoring nine points and handing out three assists.
"We weren't going to do all that sagging off and let Mingo pick us apart again," Mills said. "We stayed home and created some turnovers."
Mingo ended the game with 24 points and – as Mills wanted - two assists. He didn't get enough help from teammates in the second half and went 0 for 2 from three, thanks to Boyd and
Dre Kindell.
"Mingo is such a difficult cover," Mills said. "At their place, they had 15 assists and nine turnovers. They had to make plays for themselves (Wednesday). We weren't going to let them make plays for others."
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Boyd guarded Mingo most of the game. Kindell relieved him for a key stretch midway through the second half. Mingo took one shot – blocked by
Dillon Battie – during a six-minute period in which the Shockers extended the lead from four to 17. Kindell's quickness and tenacity erased Mingo for a few minutes, and the 49ers had no one to step up.
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"Dre's a dog," Boyd said. "No surprise there. When I need a break, Dre comes in. He's a pest."
On Wednesday, the Shockers had plenty of pests. Center
Will Berg blocked three shots and recorded two steals.
Michael Gray Jr., recorded two steals and drew a charge. Boyd blocked two shots. Boyd and
Kenyon Giles drew offensive fouls by busting through screens and drawing the screener into throwing a hip aggressively enough for the official to notice.
That is how you make the opposition play poorly.
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Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.
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Season tickets are on sale now, and season ticket renewals are available as well. To purchase, visitÂ
GoShockers.com/Tickets, dial 316-978-FANS (3267) or stop by the Shocker Ticket Office, located inside Charles Koch Arena, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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