WICHITA STATE ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A late Wichita State surge powered by hot shooting from Jaila Harding gave the Shockers offensive momentum, but Charlotte kept its foot on the gas to hand the Shockers an 81-72 setback Saturday afternoon at Halton Arena.
Graduate guard Jaila Harding led the Shockers in scoring with a game-high 21 points, knocking down five three-pointers to move up to tie for No. 2 all-time in Wichita State history for single-season threes, while Bre'Yon White finished in double figures for the second-straight game, tallying 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting. Abby Cater finished with 10 points, and Taya Davis and Maimouna Sissoko each chipped in nine points, while Davis dished a game-high six assists, her fifth-straight game with five or more assists.
The best offensive rebounding team in the American Conference out-rebounded the Shockers 40-27 as the 49ers took advantage of their 15 offensive boards, scoring 17 second-chance points.
Charlotte jumped out to an early advantage, outscoring Wichita State 21-10 in the opening quarter behind hot perimeter shooting. The Shockers settled in during the second quarter, trimming the deficit to 38-28 at the break.
Wichita State continued to chip away in the third quarter, shooting 58 percent from the floor and pulling within three points before former Shocker Princess Anderson hit a buzzer beater three to end the quarter and make it a six-point game. The Shockers outscored Charlotte 20-16 in the quarter and carried momentum into the final 10 minutes.
In the fourth, Wichita State matched Charlotte bucket for bucket and shot 55.6 percent from the field, including four three-pointers from Harding, but Charlotte converted 10-of-11 free throws down the stretch to seal the win.The Shockers finished the game shooting 49.1 percent from the floor and 44.4 percent from beyond the arc, while also scoring 36 points in the paint.
Charlotte was led by Anderson with 19 points as four Niners finished in double figures.
Wichita State returns home to face Florida Atlantic on Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. in Charles Koch Arena for Educator Appreciation Night.