No. 11 Shockers score 67 in first half against Division II team, win 105-57

WICHITA, Kan. – Ron Baker scored 16 of his 18 points in the first half, leading No. 11 Wichita State past Division II school Newman 105-57 on Sunday.

Darius Carter scored 15 and Fred VanVleet added 12 for the Shockers (3-0), who led 67-33 at halftime against Newman (2-1).

Reggie Baker led Newman with 14 points, while Cortrael Colbert added 12.

The Shockers used the game to find their shooting touch, going 10 of 17 from the 3-point line in the first half.

Wichita State was a combined 4 of 27 from the 3-point line in its first two games. That included hitting none of its 11 attempts in the opener against New Mexico State, snapping a streak of 267 games with at least one 3-pointer.

But Sunday's barrage started right away, with Ron Baker swishing a long 3 just 12 seconds into the game. Baker had three 3-pointers in the first seven minutes, helping Wichita State to a 21-10 lead.

But the Jets, which averaged 88 points in their first two games, were hitting from the outside, too. Reggie Baker made two of Newman's four 3s in the first nine minutes, and his banked-in runner with 9:40 remaining in the half pulled the Jets within 26-20.

The Shockers took over from there, hitting six 3-pointers in the final 8:12 of the half. Four came in 14-2 run that pushed Wichita State's lead to 46-26, and in the final five minutes of the half, Rauno Nurger, Corey Henderson and Zach Brown each hit their first 3s of the season.

The Shockers' 67 first-half points were their most in a half since 1980 and fourth most in school history. Wichita State used the second half to play newcomers and reserves, removing the starters with more than 12 minutes remaining.

TIP-INS

Newman: The Jets were a last-minute replacement when Wichita State could not find another NCAA Division I opponent. Newman coach Mark Potter said he told Wichita State that Newman, also in Wichita, will always make a date available for the Shockers.

Wichita State: Tekele Cotton, a preseason All-Missouri Valley selection, did not play because he has been dealing with a jammed finger on his right hand. Cotton is averaging 13.5 points and 4.5 rebounds. ... The Wichita State record for points in a half is 70 against Pan American in 1982. The Shockers' record for a game is 125 versus Drake in 1979. ... Wichita State has won 19 straight home games, the seventh-longest streak in the nation.

UP NEXT

Newman hosts Fort Hays State on Tuesday.

Wichita State hosts Tulsa on Saturday.