11 February 2024
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The Wichita State Shockers kept it close, but dropped an early-Sunday matchup to Florida Atlantic in overtime, 95-82.
Xavier Bell had a field day, scoring a season-high 25 points in the contest to lead all scorers. Colby Rogers poured in 21 and Kenny Pohto scored 10.
As a team, the Shockers shot 50% from the field and 37.5% from behind the arc, hitting six threes in the game. They held the Owls to 47.2% and 30.4%, respectively.
The Shockers even out-rebounded the Owls 40-36, but where they struggled was — once again — in the turnover department. After only committing 13 turnovers in the last two games combined, the Shockers turned the ball over 16 times on Sunday. 13 of those were steals by the Owls.
Florida Atlantic took advantage of the turnovers, scoring 16 points off them. Four of those points came on two straight possessions to start overtime, allowing the Owls to gain an early 4-point lead in the extra period.
There were 11 lead changes and the game was tied nine different times, so the Shockers didn’t get run out of their own stadium, but it just wasn’t enough to get the win.
The loss drops Wichita State to 10-14 overall and 2-9 in AAC play. Next up is a road trip to East Carolina to play the Pirates on Feb. 15. That game will tip off at 6 p.m. and stream on ESPN+.