Box Score CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A late Wichita State surge powered by hot shooting from
Jaila Harding gave the Shockers offensive momentum, but Charlotte kept its foot on the gas to hand the Shockers an 81-72 setback Saturday afternoon at Halton Arena.
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Graduate guard
Jaila Harding led the Shockers in scoring with a game-high 21 points, knocking down five three-pointers to move up to tie for No. 2 all-time in Wichita State history for single-season threes, while
Bre'Yon White finished in double figures for the second-straight game, tallying 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting.
Abby Cater finished with 10 points, and
Taya Davis and
Maimouna Sissoko each chipped in nine points, while Davis dished a game-high six assists, her fifth-straight game with five or more assists.
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The best offensive rebounding team in the American Conference out-rebounded the Shockers 40-27 as the 49ers took advantage of their 15 offensive boards, scoring 17 second-chance points.
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Charlotte jumped out to an early advantage, outscoring Wichita State 21-10 in the opening quarter behind hot perimeter shooting. The Shockers settled in during the second quarter, trimming the deficit to 38-28 at the break.
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Wichita State continued to chip away in the third quarter, shooting 58 percent from the floor and pulling within three points before former Shocker
Princess Anderson hit a buzzer beater three to end the quarter and make it a six-point game. The Shockers outscored Charlotte 20-16 in the quarter and carried momentum into the final 10 minutes.
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In the fourth, Wichita State matched Charlotte bucket for bucket and shot 55.6 percent from the field, including four three-pointers from Harding, but Charlotte converted 10-of-11 free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
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The Shockers finished the game shooting 49.1 percent from the floor and 44.4 percent from beyond the arc, while also scoring 36 points in the paint.
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Charlotte was led by Anderson with 19 points as four Niners finished in double figures.
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Wichita State returns home to face Florida Atlantic on Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. in Charles Koch Arena for Educator Appreciation Night.
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