Huskies are no match for No. 22 Wichita State

Wichita St. 95 UConn 74

Wichita, Kan. — As Wichita State senior Rashard Kelly stood with the ball in the opening minutes, the result of a second offensive rebound on the possession, a sold-out crowd rose to its feet and thundered applause.

The fans appreciated the effort, and both coaches pointed to that situation and ones like it after No. 22 Wichita State cruised past UConn 95-74 on Saturday.

"That set the tone, the energy you bring out on the floor," Shockers coach Gregg Marshall said. "You know, it's all rah rah in the locker room, but it's about the intensity you actually bring out on the court. Rashard did that."

The Shockers (19-5, 9-3 American Athletic Conference) had 17 assists and just two turnovers while building a 55-33 halftime lead. UConn (12-13, 5-7 American) never threatened after that and was outrebounded 40-24.

"Wichita State played with grit and toughness," UConn coach Kevin Ollie said. "They took it to us from the first possession, when they got two of-

offensive rebounds. We have to show more toughness."

Landry Shamet scored 16 points in just 23 minutes, the only Shocker to play that many. Conner Frankamp scored 14 points for Wichita State, Shaquille Morris had 12 and Darral Willis added 10 as the Shockers shot 52.4 percent from the floor.

Kelly said his game-high 10 rebounds were the result of trying to show leadership by example.

"You can't rebound if you don't go after them," Kelly said. "I told the guys that. It's just an effort thing."

Jalen Adams and Christian Vital each had 22 points in 35 minutes for UConn, which allowed just 67.9 points per game in its first 11 conference contests.

"Our defense was just horrible today," Ollie said. "We didn't get out on shooters, allowed wide-open cuts, gave up offensive rebounds."

Marshall was not thrilled with the way his team "muddled through the second half," but even he had to admit the first half was impressive.

Wichita State built a 21-7 lead in less than seven minutes, helped by two Austin Reaves 3-pointers.

The Huskies were never closer than 10 points after that. A 16-4 run pushed the Shockers' lead to 49-27 with 3:31 remaining in the half.

"I'm not into pretty basketball, but it really was pretty at times," Marshall said. "It is a thing to marvel at sometimes they way our guys move it."

Frustration level?

UConn is not used to a losing record this late in the season. Ollie was asked after the game if the Huskies are starting to get dispirited.

"I'm not getting dispirited," he said. "I'm staying right here, right in it."

Notes

UConn: With games at Cincinnati and Houston still on the schedule, the Huskies have a legitimate chance to finish below .500.