It seemed as though Wichita State was finally going to get another tally in the win column on Friday night, but Maryland Eastern Shore had other plans, as the Shockers fell 56-52 in Koch Arena.
The Shockers’ (1-9) nine-game skid is still the longest losing streak since the 2004-05 season, while the Hawks (6-5) avenged a 92-59 loss against Virginia earlier this week.
“I thought we played a great first half, especially considering we had some foul trouble going into halftime,” WSU head coach Terry Nooner said.
A rebound put-back basket by senior forward Maimouna Sissoko got the scoring started for the Shockers, and they held onto a lead going into the first media timeout, 8-7. A 6-0 run later helped WSU double up the Hawks, 14-7.
At the end of the first quarter, the Shockers led 17-12, marking their first lead at the end of the opening period against a Division I opponent.
With 7:51 left in the second quarter, the Hawks made the first three-point basket of the game by either team, and later tied the game at 19. But graduate guard Jaila Harding answered immediately with a three of her own.
Graduate forward Bre’Yon White went on a hot stretch, making three-straight field goals in four possessions for WSU as it led 30-26. With under a second left in the half, graduate guard Diamond Richardson was fouled on a half-court shot and converted all three free throws to up the Shockers’ lead to five points at the break.
“It was a heady play by her,” Nooner said. “I thought she played a hell of a game today.”
In the third quarter, the Hawks repeatedly cut their deficit to a point, but the WSU held strong, never giving up the lead.
A 3-pointer by Maryland Eastern Shore in the first 84 seconds of the fourth quarter finally broke the Hawks through, as they gained their first lead since the 4:02-mark of the second 49-47.
The Shockers were able to tie the game at 49, but the Hawks took the lead right back. Maryland Eastern Shore then went up by six after a 6-0 run, prompting Nooner to call a timeout amid a five-and-a-half minute scoring drought.
Richardson ended the drought with a timely three to claw WSU back within a possession, 55-52. The Shockers later had a chance to tie the game with around 30 seconds left after coercing an offensive foul that led to a change of possession, but Richardson couldn’t find the bottom of the net once more.
Harding got a look from three with 12 seconds on the clock, but missed, and the Hawks rebounded the ball that essentially sealed their win.
Harding finished with five points, shooting 2-for-12 from the floor and 1-for-7 from deep. Richardson was WSU’s lone double-digit scorer with 14 points on 5-of-10 shooting.
“I hope that our fans keep believing in us,” Nooner said postgame. “I think we’re super-duper close. We’ve got to figure out how to get ourselves over the hump, and once we get over the hump, I think that lid is going to open. The flood gates are going to open, and we’re going to be a dangerous team.”
Wichita State stays within the confines of Koch Arena for its next game against Loyola Marymount. Tip-off against the Lions is scheduled for Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
Box score breakdown
WSU — 17; 17; 11; 7 — 52
UMES — 12; 17; 15; 12 — 56
Shooting totals (fg-3p-ft)
WSU (39% – 13% – 56%)
UMES (47% – 17% – 57%)
Leaders
Points — WSU: Diamond Richardson (14), Bre’Yon White (8), Taya Davis (6), Jaida McDonald (6). UMES: Lainey Allen (12), Brianna Barnes (11), Ashanti Lynch (10).
Rebounds — WSU: Jaida McDonald (5), Bre’Yon White (3), Maimouna Sissoko (3). UMES: Lainey Allen (10), Ashanti Lynch (9), Dakieran Turner (8).
Assists — WSU: Jaida McDonald (3), Abby Cater (2), Jaila Harding (2). UMES: Kalise Hill (8), Brianna Barnes (2), Dakieran Turner (1).
