Shockers Come Up Short Against K-State

WICHITA, Kan. – Despite a season record of 19 points Morris Udeze, Wichita State dropped to Kansas State 65-59 on Sunday night at the INTRUST Bank Arena in the first meeting of the two schools since 2003.

Markquis Nowell scored 16 points for K-State (5-2), including a deep three-pointer that cut 54 points by 1:35.

Udeze shot 7/8 and grabbed seven rebounds for the Shockers (6-2), whose 12-match Wichita winning streak was broken and lost to the center for the first time since 2017.

Tyson Etienne added 11 points but scored only 4/20 on the field, including 1/11 out of three.

Neither side fired the ball well. WSU ranked 35.2 percent and K-state 33.9 percent.

K-State committed only seven exchanges to WSU 14. Shockers had an average of 17.7 entries.

The Wildcats limited the Shockers to just three second-chance points out of six offensive rebounds.

WSU started quickly and built leads 11-2 and 17-5 at 12:15 in the first half. Udeze scored seven points on this set.

The Shockers made four of their first seven three-point attempts – the last Chaunce Jenkins increase the lead to a 20-8 entry at 11:26 – but made just one more end-of-night 16 attempt.

K-State recovered from a horrific shootout (2/15, 0/6 of three). Mike McGuirl finished third and baited Kaosi Ezeagu with alley-oops in consecutive boards as fuel 12-0.

Luke Kasubke’s trio scored a series of six straight goals and gave the guests their first lead of the evening, 25-24, at 5 p.m.

K-State moved to a two-point lead at halftime (32-30). Udeze accounted for 14 of Shocker’s 30 points.

WSU regrouped and opened the second half with a 14-5 round. Udeze spun between the two defenders for a layup and a 44-37 pillow after 14:41.

These were the last WSU scores up to the 7.15 mark. The Shockers missed eight consecutive shots, and K-State took advantage of the 9-0 run to regain the lead.

Management changed owners four more times. Ricky Council IV made a brief draw to Shocker’s lead 51-50 when the show was just under 4:00, leveling the game to 54 with a three-pointer 2:02 before the match.

Nowell responded with a deep three and added a couple of free throws on the next trip.

Mark Smith helped seal the game with a key defense game, inventing a theft and then sprinting forward to move the feed from Selton Miguel.

PLEASE NOTE:

• WSU fell at home for the first time since 12/12/2020 against Oklahoma State.
• WSU lost downtown for the first time since 2017 (Oklahoma) and is now an all-time 8-3.
• K-State improved INTRUST Bank Arena to 3-2.
• The Wildcats now lead the all-time series 21-11 (7-9 in Wichita).
• WSU has an all-time win of 1-11 against Bruce Weber. Most of the games were played during his time in Southern Illinois (1998-03).

NEXT:

• Next Saturday, WSU will perform for the first time at Charles Koch Arena until Day 26 when it welcomes the state of Norfolk. At 6 p.m., the hint will appear on ESPN +.
• Great places are still available at 978-FANS (3267) or online at goshockers.com/Tickets.
• WSU is hosting a special “Teddy Bear Toss” event at halftime. Fans are encouraged to bring a new or little-used teddy bear to be thrown on the field and donated to the children at a local hospital.
• Fans can show their Norfolk State tickets at the gate and get free admission to the women’s match against Grambling State on Saturday at 2 p.m.