Shockers drop to fourth place against No. 24 Michigan State

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Hannah Roberts

Daishon Smith sinks a three against Maryland Eastern Shore Sunday afternoon.

In Friday’s third-place game for the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament, the Shockers came short of an upset against No. 24 Michigan State and fell five points short, 77-72.

In the first half, the Shockers gained a 20-19 lead but gave it up after Michigan State went on a 13 point run. The Shockers were then sent to the locker room with a 10 point deficit, 39-29, after a three by Michigan State’s Eron Harris.

In the second half, Michigan gained a 15 point lead that was then reduced to one due to a 14-0 Shocker run. MSU then scored a three and two free throws to put their lead back up at six. Both teams traded baskets for the final minutes, but MSU pulled away with a win after a missed jumper from sophomore Markis McDuffie which would have tied the game. MSU then locked down their win with two made frees in the final seconds.

Despite the team’s loss, WSU once again had 50 plus scoring from the bench with 57 of 72. Junior Darral Willis led in scoring with 16 points and a team-best of 6 rebounds. Junior Daishon Smith scored 13 points, 10 of which were in the second half. Junior Rauno Nurger followed behind with 12 points and another 10 came from McDuffie.

Wichita State will return to Charles Koch Arena in a Tuesday night game against Southern Nazarene at 7 p.m. on Nov. 29.