WICHITA, Kan. (AP) -- Paul Miller scored 18 points and grabbed
seven rebounds to lead Wichita State past Southwest Missouri State
72-61 Wednesday night.
Randy Burns hit four 3s and added 18 points for the Shockers
(19-6, 12-4 Missouri Valley Conference), who ended a three-game
losing streak. Jamar Howard had 12 points and eight rebounds, while
Rob Kampman added 11 points.
Blake Ahearn had 16 points for the Bears (14-11, 8-8), who have
lost three straight. Anthony Shavies chipped in 13 points.
Wichita State played suffocating defense in the first half,
holding Southwest Missouri to 17 percent (5-of-28) shooting. The
Shockers held the Bears without a field goal for 13 minutes, with
Southwest Missouri's first one coming on a goaltending call.
Wichita State opened the game on a 20-3 run and led 37-17 at the
half.
The Bears opened the second half on a 15-8 run, cutting the
Shockers' lead to 45-32 with 12 minutes remaining. Wichita State
then went on a 9-4 run, capped by a 3 by Burns, to push the lead to
54-36 with about nine minutes to play.
Southwest Missouri fought back, cutting the lead to 56-46 on a 3
by Ahearn with 5:38 remaining. The teams traded baskets until
Ahearn's jumper cut the Shockers' lead to single digits at 64-56
with 55 seconds left.
The Bears were forced to foul the rest of the way, and Wichita
State made 6-of-8 free throws to close out the game.
The Shockers shot 50 percent (24-of-48) for the game, while
holding the Bears to 35 percent (19-of-54) shooting.