Late half runs pushes Shockers past Sycamores

The Sycamores were defeated 75-65 by the Shockers Sunday night thanks to late runs in both halves.

The loss dropped Indiana State's overall record for the season to 11-7 and 2-5 in the Missouri Valley Conference.  The Wichita State Shockers, who came in as league leaders, improved to 6-1 in the conference, 15-3 overall for the season and are currently undefeated (5-0) in conference away games.

ISU Head Coach Greg Lansing said the Sycamores played with great effort during the game, and are improving defensively, they just need to have more conversion on offense.

Senior Dwayne Lathan with 17 points, three rebounds and one block, led the Sycamores in points.  Teammate senior Carl Richard joined Lathan in the double figures with 13 points and eight rebounds.  It was a tough game for Richard who left late in the second half due to back problems.

"We wanted to make them have to beat us from the perimeter and that is what they did," ISU Head Coach Greg Lansing said.

In the long range game the Shockers beat the Sycamores in knocking down 10-20 from beyond the arc compared the Sycamores' 7-19.  In addition the Shockers posted a better field goal percentage (40.4%) than the Sycamores (38.1%).  Defensively the Sycamores played better and outrebounded the Shockers 42-36 led by senior center Myles Walker who pulled down 14 rebounds.

The Sycamores opened the game with a 5-0 run initiated by a dunk by Walker.  The Shockers remained close behind the Sycamores before tying the game at 13-13 with a long-range basket from David Kyles with 12:33 remaining in the first half.

The Sycamores remained within two points until, with 2:23 remaining before the half, Wichita State went on a 8-0 run which gave them a 36-26 lead going into the locker room.  

At the beginning of the second half the Sycamores opened with a 6-0 run.  With 11:33 remaining in the game Indiana State was within two points (49-47) but the Shockers continued to hang on vehemently to the lead.  

With 3:45 remaining the Sycamores were within two before the Shockers went on a 7-0 run pushing their lead to 9, 67-58.  The deficit proved to great for the Sycamores as the Shockers maintained that lead till the horn sounded.

"We have to play with toughness, we have to play with togetherness and we did that tonight," Lansing said. "If we continue to do that we will keep getting better everyday in practice and the wins and losses would take care of themselves."

The Sycamores continue conference competition as they travel to Normal, Ill. to face the Illinois State University Redbirds Wednesday.  Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m.  The game will be nationally televised on ESPN3.com.