Wichita State basketball used a collective effort from multiple players to defeat Marquette before advancing to the final of the Maui Invitational.
In a battle of elite offense against elite defense, both teams started out scoring well. While Marquette made it rain from deep, Wichita State used their size and physical advantage to take the early lead inside. The Golden Eagles depth was tested early on when Sam Hauser picked up three early fouls, sending him to the bench. The Shockers, led by senior Conner Frankamp’s five quick points, led 18-12 at an early stage of the game.
Marquette shot themselves in the foot several times, with some unforced errors ending their possessions. What kept them in the game was sophomore Markus Howard, who had 15 of the team’s first 22 points and 17 total in the first half alone on 6-for-8 shooting.
He and senior Andrew Rowsey were the catalysts for keeping their team in the game, especially with Hauser in foul trouble. Wichita State, however, struggled to pull ahead throughout the first half and a Haanif Cheatham 3-pointer shrunk the lead to just one at one point. The Shockers added some cushion in the final minute and went into the half with a 41-36 lead.
Wichita State Shockers Basketball
The pivotal play of the first half was on a fast-break by Marquette’s Sacar Anim. What was supposed to be an easy two points was quickly erased by a Rashard Kelly block from Wichita State.
Marquette struck first in the second half with a Rowsey scoop and score off a screen and followed it up with a three to keep it a two-point game. Foul trouble then came the Shockers way, with reserve forward Zach Brown picking up his third just three minutes into the half.
Rowsey then continued his scorching hot start, tying the game at 45 after another bucket. It was a stark difference from his 1-for-7 first-half shooting. After a series of missed shots on both ends, it was a jumper by Willis to break the stalemate. A follow-up dunk by Rauno Nurger extended the lead back to four for the Shockers.
Outside of Howard and Rowsey, Marquette was lacking in another scorer, and after Wichita locked in on those two, they extended the lead to 58-48 with 10:30 to go. A Landry Shamet drive and layup made the advantage 12 points with 8:40 left. Back-to-back threes by Howard cut it to six before a Frankcamp answer on the other end.
It was the closest the Golden Eagles would get in the second half as the Shockers top-tier defense took things up a notch to prevent the guards for Marquette from scoring. An Austin Reeves highlight reel spin and layup sealed things for Wichita State, as they advanced to the Maui Invitational Finals with an 80-66 win.
Everyone contributed for the Shockers, starting with Shamet’s 19 points, seven boards, and four assists. Reaves quietly posted a double-double, and Frankamp finished with a timely 13 points. It was Kelly who was the player of the game, though. He filled up the box score with six points, eight assists, and ten rebounds while playing stellar defense.
For Marquette, it was only about the guards. Rowsey (26 points) and Howard (25 points) were the only players who had more than five points. Hauser’s foul trouble made him ineffective, scoring just three points while collecting no rebounds.
Next: 2017 Maui Invitational Preview
Wichita State will now face the winner of Notre Dame-LSU in the Maui Invitational Championship while Marquette will play the loser in the third-place game. This tournament has been stellar as always and the potential for two top-15 teams in Wichita State and Notre Dame to match up in the final is enticing.