WICHITA, Kan. - Wichita State defeated Chicago State, 94-44, in front of 10,203 fans at Charles Koch Arena on Wednesday night.
Chicago State's 44 points are the lowest by a Wichita State opponent this season.
Ben Smith led WSU (8-2) with a career-high 22 points and grabbed five rebounds. The 2011 Missouri Valley Conference sixth man of the year knocked down three three's for the Shockers.
Joe Ragland and David Kyles each scored 12 points and 10 points for the Shocks. Ragland, who scored a career-high 31 points against UNLV earlier this season, has now scored in double figures five-straight games. The point guard, earned MVC Player of the Week honors for his performance against the Runnin' Rebels, chipped in a season-high six assists against Chicago State.
The Shockers held the Cougars (0-10) to 27.3 percent (15-of-55) for the game overall and 10.5 percent (2-of-19) from the three-point line. WSU outrebounded the Cougars, 53-34.
Wichita State wasted no time jumping on the Cougars when Carl Hall knocked down two free throws to put Wichita State in front 2-0 and the Shockers never trailed in the game. Kyles hit three free throws and a three-pointer to help the Shockers built a 12-6 lead going into the first media timeout at the 15:47 mark.
Tough defense and great shooting from the field and the free throw line helped the Shockers build a halftime lead of, 53-24. Ragland led the Shocks at the break with nine points and four assists. Twelve Shockers saw action in the first half with freshmen, Jake White, Tekele Cotton and Wessel each playing eight, nine and ten minutes, respectively. Wessel knocked down two three-pointers to finish the half with six points and the former Wichita Heights product finished with eight points overall in the game.
The win tonight gave Wichita State Head Coach Gregg Marshall his 90th win at WSU and his 284th overall. When the Shockers score 80 or more points under Marshall they are 74-3.
Newman University will travel to Koch Arena for WSU's final non-conference game this Monday, Dec. 19. Wichita State will then have eight days off before opening MVC play at Bradley on Dec. 28.
