Feb. 5, 2011
Final Stats
Post-Game Interview
Play-by-Play Highlights
WICHITA, Kan. -
The combination of torrid shooting and five players scoring at least nine points lifted league-leading Wichita State to a 74-57 victory over Illinois State in Missouri Valley Conference action Saturday night at Koch Arena. The 17-point loss was the worst regular-season Valley defeat for Illinois State in the Tim Jankovich-era.
Illinois State dropped its second-straight game and fell to 11-13 on the season and 3-10 in league play. Wichita State, which shot 47.2 percent from the floor for the game and 50 percent in the second half, improved to 20-4 overall and 11-3 in the Valley.
Tony Lewis fired in a season-best and game-high 16 points for the Redbirds and added seven rebounds. Anthony Cousin was the only other ISU player in double-digits with 10 points. Wichita State's Ben Smith came off the bench to lead the Shockers with 14 points, while Touré Murry posted a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Garrett Stutz finished with 10 points for the Shockers.
Illinois State committed four turnovers in its first eight possessions, while Wichita State jumped out to a 10-3 lead thanks to five points by Murry. Following a three-pointer by Trey Blue, Wichita State rattled off a 9-0 run, including five points from Joe Ragland, as the Shockers took an 18-6 advantage with 10:48 left in the half.
The Redbirds responded with an 8-3 run, including four points by Jackie Carmichael, to cut the deficit, 21-14, with 7:47 on the clock. Wichita State took its largest lead of the half when Gabe Blair scored five-straight points giving the Shockers a 29-15 lead at the 4:59 mark. Lewis tried to keep the Redbirds close when he scored all seven points on a 7-1 ISU run, to cut into the lead, 30-22. Wichita State closed out the half with four-straight points and held a 34-22 edge at the intermission.
Carmichael opened up the second half scoring by sinking a pair of free throws, but Wichita State blew the game open with an 8-0 run, including three points apiece by David Kyles and Murry, to take a 42-24 lead with 17:25 remaining. WSU pushed the lead to 23 points, 52-29, when Stutz scored five-straight points and Kyles added another trey at the 14:37 mark. The Redbirds were never able to get within 20 points, until Jon Ekey fired in a three-pointer from the right corner with a minute left to make the score, 74-55.
Illinois State returns to action Wednesday night when the Redbirds host Indiana State for the first of two-straight home games on Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena.
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