Shamet saves Shockers in Stillwater

Landry Shamet scored a career-high 30 points against Oklahoma State

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Brian Hayes

Landry Shamet drives to the basket against Oklahoma State. Shamet scored a career-high 30 points as Wichita State won in Stillwater, Oklahoma, for the first time in 60 years.

Landry Shamet kicked the curse at Gallagher-Iba Arena, as No. 6 Wichita State won for the first time in Stillwater, Oklahoma, since 1957.

In the first half, seven of the eight Shockers to touch the floor committed a turnover, adding to WSU’s 12 mounting first-half turnovers. Shamet responded to a slow offensive start by WSU in the first-half, with some of his best minutes of the season.

Brian Hayes
Wichita State guard Landry Shamet hits the ground after contact from a Oklahoma State player in Gallagher-Iba Arena on Saturday.

Fed up with a lackluster offensive production, WSU head coach Gregg Marshall issued a challenge to his sophomore point guard.

“I challenged him, I said ‘we need I point guard out there to take control of the team, we don’t need a cheerleader, we need a guy to settle it down and make sure we get a good shot, either through his voice or his actions,'” Marshall said.

Shamet turned back-to-back free throws, a charge on the other end, and a three-pointer before the buzzer, into an 8-0 WSU run to take only their second lead of the game — 26-23 — at halftime. Shamet scored a career-high 30 points in 36 minutes of action.

“It’s next man up,” Shamet said. “See the opportunity when it’s presented to you, and I had opportunities tonight. I try to be aggressive and help my team in that way.”

 

Brian Hayes
Wichita State guard Landry Shamet celebrates after Wichita State guard Austin Reaves hits a three point basket against Oklahoma State Cowboys in Gallagher-Iba Arena on Saturday.

Shamet continued his offensive production with a deep three-pointer at the start of the second half, kickstarting a 23-point second-half showcase. He was three for three from deep in the final 20 minutes, and 14-16 from the charity stripe. 

“These guys respect me and I respect them — it’s mutual,” Shamet said. “You get more and more comfortable vocally, and I just tried to lead the guys by example.”

Even as WSU cruised to a double-digit lead in the final minutes, Shamet pulled his teammates in and offered a message.

“Don’t let your foot off the gas peddle,” Shamet said. “We know what happens when you do that.”

Each team traded the lead for the first nine minutes of the second half until Rauno Nurger put WSU up 49-46 with a three-pointer from the wing with 11:15 left in play.

“We knew we wanted to win,” Marshall said. “Every time they made their move, we countered. That’s what it takes to win here and on the road.”

Conner Frankamp scored 14 points, including two three-pointers — extending his school-record 31 consecutive games with a made three-pointer. Frankamp, a senior guard, scored in double figures for the sixth straight game.

Shaq Morris fouled out, becoming the first Shocker to foul out this season. He ends the NCAA’s longest streak of 37 games without a player fouling out. He was limited to one rebound, one assist and a three-pointer — his only make in four attempts from the field — in 24 minutes of action.

Brian Hayes
Wichita State center Shaquille Morris blocks a shot and fouls Oklahoma State guard Kendall Smith during the second half in Gallagher-Iba Arena on Saturday.

The Shockers (8-1) defeated a Big 12 opponent for the second straight Saturday, outlasting the Cowboys 78-66. WSU is 2-0 against Big 12 opponents next week, and will play Oklahoma next Saturday in Wichita at INTRUST Bank Arena. 

The Sooners moved to 7-1 after defeating No. 25 USC on the road, 85-83 on Saturday.