Wichita State tops Loyola to remain unbeaten
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Wichita, KS (SportsNetwork.com) - Cleanthony Early scored 23 points to carry No. 4 Wichita State past Loyola-Chicago, 57-45, in Missouri Valley Conference play on Tuesday.
Early shot 7-of-14 from the field and knocked down four of the Shockers' (22-0, 9-0 MVC) seven 3-pointers. The rest of the Wichita State starters made just seven field goals combined.
Fred VanVleet had just three points, a season-low, but helped the cause in other ways by tallying team-highs of nine assists and eight rebounds. Tekele Cotton and Ron Baker netted seven points apiece as WSU remained one of just three unbeaten teams in the nation.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Milton Doyle paced Loyola (8-13, 3-6) with 16 points in the setback.
Early and VanVleet both recorded three-point plays in the early stages of this one, boosting the Shockers to an early 6-2 edge. Cotton's 3-pointer made it 19-10 midway through the first period, and Wichita State was well on its way to extending the school's record winning streak to 22 games.
The lead shrunk to 22-16 after a Christian Thomas free throw at 5:41, but a pair at the line from Nick Wiggins on the ensuing Wichita touch sparked a 14-0 run that had the hosts in front by 20 late in the period. It was 36-18 at halftime.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Loyola outscored the Shockers 27-21 over the final 20 minutes. Wichita shot just 6-of-26 from the field in the second half, missing 10 of 13 treys in the process.
Early was the lone Shocker to register points during a 10 1/2 minute stretch midway through the frame. Baker's layup at 5:30 finally broke the spell, and WSU's defense made enough stops late to keep the Ramblers at arm's length.
Game Notes
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Wichita State outrebounded Loyola 44-28 ... The Shockers lead the all-time series 19-9 ... Loyola shot just 3-of-16 from the 3-point line and 6-of-12 on free throws.