Shockers redeem 2015 loss

Brittany+Martin+%2820%29+dribbles+around+Audrey+Faber+Sunday+afternoon+in+Koch+Arena.+Wichita+State+beat+Creighton+62-54.

Hannah Roberts

Brittany Martin (20) dribbles around Audrey Faber Sunday afternoon in Koch Arena. Wichita State beat Creighton 62-54.

 

Redemption was on the docket for Wichita State Friday.

The Shockers fell in 2015 to Arkansas State in an unexpected 67-50 loss. Friday, they rectified the record with a 69-51 win over the Red Wolves.

Arkansas State entered the game on a five-loss streak, desperately reaching for a win. Wichita State, who entered the game with a 2-4 record, had other plans.

“We stuck to our game plan and just went out there and did what we had to do for our team, for each other,” senior guard TaQuandra Mike said.

Junior guard Tamara Lee was leading scorer with a career-high 20 points; Mike right behind her with 17.

“If you look at [Lee’s] stat line, she just doesn’t evolve from the three. She can drive it, she can dish it,” head coach Jody Adams-Birch said  “She’s got a powerful game, it’s just about her being patient.”

Senior center Brittany Martin snagged a game-high seven rebounds.

WSU brought in 29 points off the bench, 20 of which came from Lee’s career-game.

“Our bench I think is our weapon. When you’re getting close to playing 10 people in double figure minutes, it’s tough, you can wear and tear on people,” Adams-Birch said. 

The first half was a constant battle for the lead with three lead changes and five ties.

WSU held Arkansas State to zero points for 3:50 minutes of play, which got the Shockers the lead and helped them keep their lead all the way to the end of the half.

The Shockers shot 57 percent from the field and the Red Wolves trailed behind at 38 percent shooting. Wichita State also led in rebounds at the half with 19 total and Arkansas State with 11.

At the end of the third quarter, Thompson made a layup right at the buzzer pushing the lead to 46-40 going into the fourth. The Shockers kept the lead the entirety of the quarter.

WSU picked up their pace both offensively and defensively in the fourth quarter. Eight minutes into the fourth WSU picked up 18 points and held Arkansas State to seven as the Shockers strolled to an 18-point victory. 

“We did well at staying composed. If we would have been freaking out we would have turned the ball over in the fourth quarter,” Lee said. “I’m really proud of my teammates and the coaching staff.”

Adams-Birch hopes to move to a winning pattern with a shot at extending the winning streak to two games with a road game against Missouri on Dec. 9.