The Sports Xchange
Dec 5, 2017
Landry Shamet and Shaquille Morris combined for 41 points to help No. 6 Wichita State survive a scare from South Dakota State in a 95-85 win Tuesday at Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, Kan.
Shamet finished with 21 points and eight assists, and Morris added 20 points for the Shockers, who have bounced back from a loss to Notre Dame in the Maui Invitational championship game with three consecutive wins.
Wichita State (7-1) has won 43 consecutive nonconference home games, but Tuesday's victory wasn't easy.
South Dakota State star Mike Daum scored 31 points and hit seven of the Jackrabbits' 14 3-pointers.
A Daum 3-pointer with nine minutes to play gave South Dakota State a 76-67 lead before Wichita State started its comeback.
The Shockers scored nine consecutive points and grabbed their first lead since early in the first half on a dunk from Zach Brown that came off a sideline inbounds play.
Wichita State stayed hot and finished off the Jackrabbits with a 16-1 run.
The Jackrabbits already have wins at Mississippi and against Iowa this season, and they threatened to add another upset to their resume. Junior guard Tevin King scored 14 points, and junior guard Brandon Key came off the bench to chip in 10 points for South Dakota State (7-4).
Wichita State was coming off its best win of the season, a 69-62 decision at No. 16 Baylor on Saturday. However, the Shockers struggled to slow down Daum and the Jackrabbits in the first half. Daum hit four 3-pointers in the first half for 16 points, and South Dakota State led 50-42 at halftime.
Shockers senior guard Conner Frankamp added 16 points, and senior forward Darral Willis Jr. came off the bench to score 13 points.
NOTES: Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall compared South Dakota State F Mike Daum to an NBA legend earlier in the week. "He's like Larry Bird," Marshall said. "He's a fantastic player who is probably going to play in the NBA." ... Wichita State entered the game leading the nation in rebound margin (15.9). The Shockers won the battle of the boards 37-25 on Tuesday. ... Wichita State has back-to-back games against Big 12 opponents, beginning with a Saturday trip to Oklahoma State. The Shockers host Oklahoma on Dec. 16. ... The Jackrabbits return home to host Concordia College on Friday.