The Wichita State Shockers won its 33rd undefeated game of the season Saturday against Missouri State to become one of three teams to go 33-0 in NCAA history.

The Shockers trampled the Bears 67-42 to move on to the championship game Sunday, where they will attempt to make history one more time before heading into the NCAA Tournament later in the month.

The matchup was one of WSU’s best showcases of the year, with Tekele Cotton and Cleanthony Early leading the way with their three-point shooting.

WSU coach Gregg Marshall said that Missouri State forced the Shockers to the outside. That didn’t hurt much.

“They collapse the defense around the post,” he said. “They don’t let you throw it in. They don’t let you drive it in.”

The game started out slow with the two teams going back-and-fourth until a three-pointer by Cotton started the Shockers on a 17-point run at the 8:24 mark. In that run, Early and Cotton each made two three-point shots while Ron Baker contributed one.

“Cle had a very hot hand,” Cotton said. “I feel like every time he rolls up, it’s just going to go in.”

Cotton was 100 percent from the three-point line at halftime with Early going three-for-five. The Shockers missed two of their eight attempts by the half, but Marshall said those shots were throwaways.

“We were really eight-for-eight, and the other two were desperation” he said.

Fred VanVleet capped off the run with a layup, giving the Shockers a 30-12 lead with 3:03 left before halftime.

After the half, WSU continued to dominate; going on a 30-2 run started on free-throws by Early and finished off by a pair of free-throws by Nick Wiggins. A short time later, Marshall sent out the bench for the remainder of the game.

Gavin Thurman from Missouri State said WSU’s defense is tough to beat.

“They make you work for everything,” Thurman said. “They’re the No. 2 team in the country, and could be No. 1. They really play hard for 40 minutes. That’s why they’re an elite team.”

After winning 33 games, the team said there won’t be time to celebrate until after the season is over. And with their attempt tomorrow of winning the MVC Tournament in St. Louis for the first time ever, and the NCAA Tournament on the horizon, it’s far from over.

“When we get older we’ll be able to look at the 33-0 part,” Cotton said. “But right now we’re 2-0 and we’re just trying to focus on this tournament and this championship that we have.”

Early had the same sentiment.

“We’re not trying to celebrate right now,” he said. “We’re trying to handle business.”

The Shockers will face Indiana State tomorrow in the championship round at 1 p.m.