Riverdale, NY (December 2, 2003)- Wichita State posted a 62.2% shooting percentage on the way to a 74-57 win over Manhattan College tonight at Draddy Gymnasium. The Jaspers shots just 30.5% from the floor in posting their lowest shooting percentage since January 10, 2001. Randy Burns led the Shockers (4-1) with 24 points on 10 of 14 shooting.
Manhattan's defensive pressure caused five early Wichita State turnovers, and Manhattan (2-1) led by as many as seven, 19-12, with 10:39 left in the first half. The Shockers then found their shooting touch, going on a 25-11 run to take a seven point lead, 37-30, with 1:21 left before halftime. Manhattan scored the next three points to draw within four, and could have cut the deficit to two as time expired in the half, but
Luis Flores' jumper would not fall. Flores shot six for 13 in the first half, but the rest of the Jaspers combined to shoot four for 18, as the team shot 32.3% (10-31) from the floor. The Shockers shot 60.9% (14-23).
Wichita State continued the hot shooting touch in the second half, opening the half with a 15-2 run to take a 52-35 lead with 14:41 left in the game. The Shockers took their largest lead of the game with 2:43 remaining, going up by 20 after two Jamar Howard free throws made the score 71-51. The Jaspers never trailed by less than 13 for the final 13:23 of the game.
The Shockers finished the game with a 62.2% shooting percentage, while Manhattan managed to post just a 30.5% field goal percentage. The Jaspers did cause 20 Wichita State turnovers, and tallied 14 steals, but could not find their shooting touch the whole game in falling to 2-1. The 17 point margin marks the biggest in the Bobby Gonzalez era at home.
Flores was the only Jaspers in double-figures, leading all scorers with 25 points. Joining Burns in double-figures for the Shockers were Howard (11 points) and Paul Miller (12 points).
The Jaspers open up MAAC play on Friday, December 5, when they travel to Fairfield to take on the Stags. Tipoff is slated for 7:30 p.m.
