CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The Wichita State Shockers rallied from an eight-point deficit in the final 10 minutes to score a 71-68 road win over the University of Northern Iowa Panther men’s basketball team on Wednesday in the McLeod Center.
The Shockers improved to 16-3 overall and 7-1 in Missouri Valley Conference play. The Shockers also moved to 6-0 in road games this season.
UNI drops to 13-7 overall and 3-5 in the MVC.
Wichita State trailed 56-48 with 9:13 to go after UNI freshman Seth Tuttle scored his 15th point of the game. WSU’s Toure’ Murry scored 10 points in the final 7:07 to key the comeback for the Shockers.
Murry hit a pair of free throws with 1:50 left in the game to give WSU its first lead of the second half since leading 32-30 at the intermission. But UNI freshman Deon Mitchell answered right back with a pair of free throws of his own with 1:39 left to give UNI the lead at 66-65.
Murry put the Shockers ahead to stay with a shot he flipped over his head with his back to the basket. The shot went in and the Shockers had a 67-66 lead. WSU’s Joe Ragland dropped in a pair of free throws with 1:11 left to push the lead to three.
UNI junior guard Anthony James hit a driving layup with 0:44 left to trim the lead back to one at 69-68. But Murry answered on the other end with a jumper in the lane with :12 left to give the Shockers a three-point lead at 71-68.
UNI’s final possession ended with a missed three-pointer from Marc Sonnen off the right wing and the Shockers claimed the road victory.
Murry scored a game-high 24 points on 8-of-10 shooting from the floor and was a perfect 6-for-6 at the foul line. WSU’s Garrett Stutz scored 17 points and grabbed nine rebounds.
UNI was led in scoring by James with 16 points. Tuttle scored 15 points and was perfect from the field (6-for-6) and the line (3-for-3).
UNI will stay home to take on the Drake Bulldogs on Sunday at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on ESPNU from the McLeod Center.
NOTES: UNI’s Johnny Moran set the UNI record for most career starts with 121 … he surpassed the old mark set by Ben Jacobson from 2003-06 at 120 … UNI’s Marc Sonnen drained a 3-pointer for the 14th straight game … UNI has led in all five of its MVC losses this season … UNI and Wichita State tied in the battle of the boards at 29 rebounds apiece … Jake Koch handed out a game-high five assists.
