Craig Porter Jr. scored 13 points and Wichita State used a pair of extended scoring runs to put away Newman University, 83-52, Wednesday evening in an exhibition game at Charles Koch Arena.
The Shockers reeled off 17 straight points to turn an 11-8 deficit into a 25-11 cushion near the midway point of the first half. They led by as many as 37 late in the second half after another 20-0 push.
All 14 Shockers who dressed saw action.
Porter tallied 13 points on 6-of-9 shooting to go with five rebounds and four assists, and Gus Okafor joined him in double-figures with 11 points.
7-footer Quincy Ballard paced the rebounding with seven, while Shammah Scott handed out a team-best five assists in 13 minutes.
Latik Murphy scored a game-high 14 points to lead Newman.
Key Stat:
The Shockers forced 25 turnovers while committing just 12.
Key Stretch:
Newman missed 21-straight shots during a second-half scoring drought that lasted for more than eight minutes. WSU capitalized, turning a modest 61-44 lead into an 81-44 advantage with less than 2:00 to play in the game.
Also Notable:
*** WSU has won 28-straight preseason exhibitions, dating back to 2001, and is 25-0 in such games since Charles Koch Arena's 2003 renovation.
*** The Shockers improved to 7-0 against Newman (4-0 exhibitions, 3-0 regular season).
*** Ballard's three blocks tied for the most by a Shocker in an exhibition game in the 20 seasons since the renovation, joining a club that includes Ehimen Ourkpe (2011 vs. Emporia State), Carl Hall (2012 vs. Pitt State), Kadeem Coleby (2013 vs. Oklahoma Baptist) and Shaquille Morris (2017 vs. Newman).
Up Next:
The Shockers begin the regular season next week with home games against Central Arkansas (Monday, 7 p.m.) and Alcorn State (Saturday, 3 p.m.). Both contests will air on ESPN+. Tickets are available online at goshockers.com/Tickets, by phone at 316-978-FANS, in person at the Shocker Ticket Office.