WICHITA, Kan. – Behind a career-high 24 points from Trajata Colbert, Wichita State defeated Cincinnati in the American Athletic Conference opener, 61-49, Friday night in Charles Koch Arena.
Wichita State (11-3, 1-0) starts conference play 1-0 for the first time since 2014-15 as members of the Missouri Valley Conference.
Colbert was nearly unstoppable down low. The fifth-year senior was 9-for-16 from the floor on the way to her 24-point night, while adding eight rebounds and two steals. DJ McCarty added 15 points, five assists and four steals. Jane Asinde just missed a double-double with eight points and 15 rebounds. She also swiped a career-high tying four steals.
Wichita State attempted only four three-pointers and shot 38 percent from the floor, but shot 26 free throws compared to just seven for Cincinnati.
Despite making five more three-pointers, Cincinnati finished the game at 31 percent overall and gave up 15 points off 15 turnovers. The Bearcats did however set a new Charles Koch Arena record with 14 blocked shots. Malea Williams had seven of them, also a Koch Arena record for an opponent.
A fast-paced, competitive first quarter saw it tied at 15 after 10 minutes. Wichita State hit six of its first 10 attempts and finished at 50 percent for the period. Five turnovers helped Cincinnati who connected on only 6-of-16 tries.
Cincinnati's shooting woes carried over to the second quarter where they went just 3-of-15, including a scoring drought over the last 5:04 of the period. Wichita State was able to grab the lead going into the locker room thanks to the drought, but only by four, 26-22. The Shockers missed six of their final seven attempts and couldn't take full advantage.
Wichita State shot 41 percent for the half and held Cincinnati to 29 percent. McCarty led the Shockers with eight first half points, followed by Asinde and Colbert with six each.
The Bearcats' troubles on the offensive end would extend to the 4:20 mark of the third quarter. They missed their first seven shots and Wichita State pushed the margin to double digits, 32-22.
Five straight from Cincinnati forced a Wichita State timeout but the Shockers answered with four unanswered from Colbert to make it a 10-point game with less than 2:00 left in the third period.
Cincinnati refused to go away. Caitlyn Wilson would score the final five points to pull the Bearcats within five, 37-32, at the end of three quarters.
Leading by five entering the final 10 minutes, Wichita State immediately pushed the lead to 10. Cincinnati had one last comeback attempt in them when they pulled within 47-41 and 3:54 remaining, but that would be as close as they would get. A three-point play from Colbert and a corner triple from Shamaryah Duncan on back-to-back possessions gave the Shockers a 53-41 lead and only 2:16 to go. The lead grew to as many as 16 after two Duncan free throws and a run-out Jeniah Thompson layup.
Free throws inside the final minute from McCarty and Colbert officially iced the win to close out 2022.
Up Next
Wichita State travels to Tulsa for the first time in league play next Wednesday, Jan. 4 at 6:30 p.m.