In a challenging matchup, the Wichita State Shockers faced off against the California State University, Bakersfield Roadrunners on Saturday, ultimately suffering a narrow defeat of 60-55. This game, held at Charles Koch Arena, marked the Shockers’ fifth consecutive loss of the season. Despite showing considerable resilience after trailing by 14 points at halftime, their comeback efforts fell short.
Game Highlights
Wichita State (1-5) struggled early on, concluding the first half with a score of 42-28 in favor of CSUB (2-4). However, the Shockers delivered a strong performance in the third quarter, outscoring the Roadrunners 15-5. This intense effort brought them to within just three points as they headed into the final quarter.
Key Players
Several players stood out for the Shockers:
- Abby Cater: Led the team with 11 points, four assists, and six steals. She was perfect at the free-throw line, going 5-for-5.
- Kyleigh Ortiz: Contributed seven points, including a crucial three-pointer in the first half.
- Maimouna Sissoko: Came off the bench to secure five points and a team-high seven rebounds.
- Diamond Richardson: Scored six points and recorded three steals in her first start for the Shockers.
- Jaila Harding: Added eight points to the scoreboard.
Statistical Overview
The Shockers showcased strong defense during the second half, holding Bakersfield to just 13.3 percent shooting. This enabled Wichita State to rally and trim the deficit significantly. In terms of scoring efficiency, the Shockers excelled at the line, completing 21 of 28 free throws, marking a season high with a 75 percent success rate. In comparison, they limited CSUB to 6-for-15 from the charity stripe.
First Half Performance
During the opening quarter, CSU Bakersfield took control with an impressive shooting performance of 58.8 percent. They capitalized on 34 points in the paint and converted 18 points off turnovers made by Wichita State.
Looking Ahead
The Wichita State Shockers are scheduled to continue their season at the ZotGiving Classic in Irvine, California. They will face UC Irvine on November 28, followed by a match against Idaho on November 29. The Shockers aim to bounce back and regroup after their recent struggles.
