A recap from the Wichita Eagle newspaper is at the bottom. Sounds like they've had a tough season. I don't expect a 10 pt win next year @ Koch Arena. Am I allowed to cut and paste such info.....?
On a slightly odd note, has anyone here seen Wichita State's "Shock 'Em" signs (makes me yearn for the good old days of teaching jr. high gangsters in S. AZ) that their cheerleaders throw up in the air during games. There's a good thread at Montana State University's website now about strange college nicknames and mascots.
http://www.bobcatnation.com/bobcatboard/viewtopic.php?t=13623
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http://www.kansas.com/250/story/320700.html
Another Busted Saturday for Shockers
BY PAUL SUELLENTROP
The Wichita Eagle
Shocker report
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Wichita State senior P.J. Couisnard is done with BracketBusters games and he is not the least bit disappointed.
Four games in ESPN's made-for-TV matchups and four losses. Miami (Ohio), George Mason, Appalachian State -- and add Northern Arizona to that list after Saturday's 85-75 defeat at the Walkup Skydome.
"I like the return games, but I guess I won't be able to return this one," he said.
That happens next season, when Northern Arizona will visit Koch Arena. WSU is 3-0 in the rematches. Next season's game might not go any better if the Shockers (10-18) can't find a way to stop Lumberjacks junior guard Josh Wilson. He made 9 of 11 shots, 4 of 5 from three-point range, and scored a career-high 25 points. He also handed out five assists to direct an offense that shot 62.5 percent for the game and made 17 of 23 shots in the second half.
"I wish Wilson was a senior, he's going to come back and see us next year," WSU coach Gregg Marshall said. "He just lit us up."
Wilson was not consistently lighting anybody up in recent weeks. He hadn't even reached double figures in four of the past seven games. Against WSU, he looked utterly unbothered by the defense. He shot over defenders even when they were close and drove to the basket for pull-up jumpers.
"Once you get a few down, you feel good and the trigger is a little quicker," he said.
The Lumberjacks (18-10) did just about anything they wanted in the second half. The Shockers tried to double team center Kyle Landry, which left outside shooters open. If Landry did not find them, other passers did. The Lumberjacks moved the ball crisply and gave Shocker defenders fits with screens.
"They were really getting through on stagger screens," WSU forward Ramon Clemente said. "They were getting wide open, and (Wilson) got pretty hot. He didn't miss there for awhile."
If Landry got the ball one-on-one, he scored. WSU held him to six points in the first half. He scored 16 in the second.
"Early on, they were double-teaming Kyle and other guys stepped up," NAU coach Mike Adras said. "At the end of the game, they decided not to double-team him anymore and then we really went to him."
The Lumberjacks made 10 of 11 free throws in the second half (16 of 17 for the game) and spent almost 12 minutes in the bonus.
"That's probably one of the best offensive performances I've had put on one of my teams," Marshall said. "Our defense is not what I would like it to be and what I hope it will be in the future."
Twenty turnovers -- leading to 36 points -- ruined one of WSU's better shooting games. The Shockers shot 52.9 percent and made 11 of 12 free throws. Couisnard made 3 of 4 threes and scored 19 points. Clemente added 17, punching in a career high for a second straight game. Matt Braeuer scored 12, all in the second half.
Bad passes, charges and other assorted goofs with the ball spoiled the hot shooting.
WSU led by seven in the first half and six in the second. Northern Arizona tied it 56-all when WSU's effort wilted under the weight of the turnovers.
A charge by Gal Mekel -- who finished with five turnovers in 16 minutes -- led to a Lumberjacks basket. Couisnard lost the ball in the lane and Zach Filzen made a three for a 61-56 lead.
After a Shocker timeout with 8:49 remaining, Phil Thomasson walked. Filzen, a freshman, scored again for a 63-56 lead.
The Lumberjacks extended that edge to 11 points with 4:47 to play. With Landry and Wilson resting, WSU cut the lead to 73-69 with 3:14 to play on two free throws by Couisnard.
Braeuer's steal gave WSU a chance, down four with the ball. He missed a three and the Shockers rebounded. Freshman J.T. Durley jacked up an airball from three, a shot that came much too quickly for Marshall.
"I don't know why we panicked," Marshall said.
Wilson's three-point play gave the Lumberjacks a 76-69 lead with 2:41 to play and WSU could not get any closer. Landry converted three-point plays on back-to-back possessions in the final 1:46 to rebuild the lead to 11.
Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State sports. Reach him at 316-269-6760 or
[email protected].
