Head Coach Paul Mills and the Wichita State Shockers snapped the program’s longest losing streak in 23 years in a 77-72 win versus the Southern Methodist Mustangs to improve to 9-11 overall and 1-6 in the American Athletic Conference. With eight straight losses, the hometown Shockers needed a team effort to collect their first win in the highly competitive AAC. Timely chemistry between two Shockers in the final 1:28 proved key in breaking the Mustangs.
Wichita State Duo Excels Down the Stretch
The tension in Charles Koch Arena was higher than Bill Walton in the Mile High City. Shocker fans alternated sharply between holding their breath until they were light in the head and unleashing wild, approving roars as their hometown Shockers battled down the stretch. White jerseys inscribed with the initials “MTXE” (More Toughness Xtra Effort) swarmed SMU and forced many Mustang miscues, but down 69-72 with 1:28 remaining, Wichita State still needed a timely offensive spark to produce. Enter the 6’10” Swedish specialty, Kenny Pohto, and feisty forward, Ronnie DeGray III.
A high screen for Xavier Bell popped Pohto beyond the 3-point line to draw out Tyreek Smith, SMU’s top shot blocker and simultaneously opened up the paint. Bell passed to Pohto and left the Swede surveying just beyond the key. Ronnie DeGray lined up a diagonal to the rim and waited for SMU’s Samuell Williamson to shift to Pohto’s gravity. Picking his moment, DeGray darted straight to the basket and recovered the pass from Pohto, utilizing his signature pump fake to send a recovering Tyreek Smith flying empty-handed back to Dallas. Threat averted, DeGray deftly dipped in the clutch bucket. The scoreboard ticked 71-72.
The Shockers fouled while defending SMU on the other end, but the Mustang free throw by Samuell Williamson conveniently bonked rudely off the rim and Wichita State swallowed up the board.
As Xavier Bell dribbled down the court, ESPN commentator Mark Adams provided viewers with some fortune-telling, “Same game plan: share the ball. High ball screen through Pohto.”
Just as Adams predicted, Kenny Pohto provided a ghost screen on Bell’s man then popped up to that same spot beyond the arc to receive the pass. DeGray wasted no time and took the same flight path to leave SMU’s Williamson in the dust once again, collecting the generous dime from Pohto and placing the surging Shockers on top 73-72. The Koch Arena crowd thundered and shook such that 4,373 fans resembled closer to its 10,506 capacity.
FOR THE LEAD!! pic.twitter.com/Lupq5Xj2rC
— Wichita State Men’s Basketball (@GoShockersMBB) January 28, 2024
“I think (Mills) knew they were getting confused on switch on the backside,” DeGray said. “I just split between them and ended up wide open.”
The 4-0 swing led by Pohto and DeGray effectively seemed to suck the life out of SMU. In their next two possessions, the Mustangs air-balled a heavily defended layup and then missed the crucial front end of a one-and-one, while the Shockers sunk four straight free throws to close out the contest.
DeGray finished with 11 gritty points, all scored in the second half.
Crashin’ the glass@Ronnie_DeGray23 pic.twitter.com/Hm9CuBwCab
— Wichita State Men’s Basketball (@GoShockersMBB) January 28, 2024
Pohto chipped in nine points along with his two clutch assists to DeGray.
Wichita State Notables
Big game, Bev. pic.twitter.com/8SP2HZORRE
— Wichita State Men’s Basketball (@GoShockersMBB) January 28, 2024
Scoring contributions from Shocker starters like Harlond Beverly with 14 points, Dalen Ridgnal with 11, and Colby Rogers who dropped in 12 propelled WSU over one of the top FG% defenses in the country. The Shockers shot a healthy 37.5% on three-pointers and 46.7% from the field overall. As of Sunday, Haslametrics rated SMU’s 3-PT% defense as 9th best in the country (29.67%) and tacked them at #11 for overall FG% defense (39.42%). The Shocker’s slump-breaking win over one of the better teams in the AAC could sprout some momentum in conference play.
Big game, Bev. pic.twitter.com/8SP2HZORRE
— Wichita State Men’s Basketball (@GoShockersMBB) January 28, 2024
The Shockers limited their turnovers to 12, their lowest tally since a 69-68 win over Southern Illinois on December 16th. Wichita State also shared the ball well, recording their second-highest assist total of the season with 17 dimes.
Up Next for Wichita State:
Wichita State (9-11, 1-6 AAC) will travel to Oklahoma to take on Tulsa (11-8, 2-5 AAC). Tipoff is at 6:00 PM CST and will air on ESPNU. There will be a watch party at Social Tap in Braeburn Square for all fans interested.
Another opportunity for @GoShockersMBB fans to congregate at Social Tap in Braeburn Square to cheer on the Shockers! 📺👀 pic.twitter.com/3ZtVtEn2Gm
— Go Shockers (@GoShockers) January 30, 2024
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