WICHITA, Kan. — The Wichita Wizards (1-0) used a late run to build a double-digit lead and hold off the Kansas City Stealth (0-1).
The Wizards have been in Wichita (home games at Friends University) since 2019 but opened the 2023 season in a new league — the MABA (Mid-America Basketball Association).
"The game was a great effort by both teams. It was close all the way, but our guys don’t quit and finished strong," Mark Creed, Wizards CEO and founder of the new MABA league, said. "It was a great game to start something that we hope to grow to be an amazing league."
The Wizards were led by Parker Austin's 31 points and 10 rebounds.
Austin shot 13-of-20 from the floor in the 115-106 win.
The Wizards trailed for the first three quarters before taking over in the final frame.
Kaelon Gary added 26 points to Wichita's tally on 10-of-11 free-throw shooting.
Curtis Profit Jr. scored 16 and added six steals, four assists and five rebounds.
The Stealth (formerly of Topeka) join the Wizards as founding members of the MABA.
The Wizards return to Friends University April 16 at 2 p.m. to face the OKC Lightning.
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