No. 10 Wichita St. thumps Wyoming

CASPER, Wyo. — A week ago, Wichita State almost blew a 19-point lead at Syracuse, playing conservatively while the Orange made a late run that fell short.

The 10th-ranked Shockers showed they have learned their lesson.

Kyle Wilson scored 19 points, including two big baskets in the second half, and Wichita State held off a Wyoming rally for an 83-69 victory on Saturday at the Wyoming Shootout.

"We knew that, no matter how big our lead, we had to keep attacking no matter what. Syracuse taught us that," said Matt Braeuer, who finished with 18 points for the Shockers (7-0). "That's what we did tonight. We didn't just sit back in our offense — we attacked the basket."

And it was Wilson leading the attack.

After the Shockers had fallen behind for the first time in the second half, Wilson scored inside to put Wichita State ahead 52-51, starting a 6-0 run.

Brad Jones hit two free throws to bring Wyoming within 56-53, but Phillip Thomasson answered with a turnaround jumper and Wilson hit a 3-pointer to start a 9-0 run that gave the Shockers a 65-53 lead.

"Kyle, he's a fifth-year senior, so we go to him a lot in big situations," Shockers coach Mark Turgeon said.

"He's a big-time player," Braeuer said. "We look for him, and we expect him to hit shots like that."

Wyoming (7-2) made one more run, pulling within 69-62 when Brandon Ewing hit a free throw with 4:50 left.

But that was the closest the Cowboys would get. Braeuer made two free throws, and Wilson hit another big basket as the Shockers began to pull away, going inside to Wilson while the guards drove to the basket.

Wichita State built its first-half lead with defense and 3-point shooting. The Shockers forced 10 turnovers and blocked three shots in the first half, while the Cowboys shot just 35 percent from the field.

"It hurts that we dug such a hole that we had to fight so hard just to get back," Wyoming coach Steve McClain said.

Still, McClain said there was a bright side, noting reserve Daaron Brown's eight points and eight rebounds.

"I feel a lot better after this loss than I did after UAB," McClain said, referring to last weekend's 21-point home loss. "Tonight, we just weren't able to sustain another run."