Wichita State women’s basketball was bested in its game with the University of North Texas (UNT) on Saturday afternoon.
The Shockers lost on the road, 80-58. The Mean Green’s record improved to 14-5 and 5-1 in American Athletic Conference (AAC) play while Wichita State fell to 7-12 and 1-5 in the AAC.
The Shockers shot 39% percent from the field and only converted on half their free throws (4-8). WSU fouled the Mean Green 23 times and, as a result, the home team shot 24 free throws and drained 20 of them.
With graduate student guard Taylor Jameson out following concussion protocol, junior guard Jasmine Peaks made her first start of the season.
After an 8-8 tie going into the media break during the first quarter, the Mean Green outscored WSU 8-2 and took a 16-10 advantage at the end of the period. This was the eighth straight game the Shockers have trailed at the end of the first quarter.
To begin the second quarter, junior guard Princess Anderson made the first three of the game for either team. Before Anderson’s make, both teams combined for 0-11 from beyond the arc.
After the Mean Green took a three-possession lead, WSU head coach Terry Nooner called his first timeout, though it did little to help WSU’s defense. After the timeout, the Shockers’ deficit swelled to 12, and by the half, North Texas led by 13 points, 35-22.
In the first half, the Shockers committed 12 fouls resulting in 13 UNT free throws. UNT also scored eight points off turnovers and ten second-chance points. The Shockers’ starters only counted for six first-half points and shot 3-12 from the field.
Similar to the first quarter, the Mean Green drew fouls and seemingly scored at will in the third. At the first media timeout of the second half, the Mean Green led, 50-33. Right out of the timeout, UNT hit another three, making its lead an even 20.
At the end of the third quarter, Wichita State trailed, 62-40.
In the fourth quarter, the game was easily decided and the Mean Green walked away with their 22-point margin of victory. This was the sixth time the Shockers have lost by 20 points or more this year.
Anderson led the team in points, scoring 13 off the bench. Senior center Aicha Ndour led the team in rebounds (five) and junior forward Jayla Murray led the team in assists (four).
The Shockers will next play their annual pink-out game next against the University of Alabama at Birmingham on Saturday (UAB). Tipoff against the Blazers is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25.
