Print edition: 
Two minutes into Saturday’s basketball game, Wichita State appeared to be thin on big men. Two hours later, the Shockers appeared to own depth that almost every Missouri Valley Conference team envies.
Junior center Ehimen Orukpe caused that shift. He played a season-high 22 minutes in Saturday’s 85-42 win over Southern Illinois at Koch Arena. He scored five points, blocked four shots and took in a career-high nine rebounds to give the Shockers production equal to many MVC starting centers. Orukpe, who had not played more than 14 minutes in any conference game, provided a presence in the lane with starter Garrett Stutz out with a back injury and power forward Carl Hall in foul trouble.
“I think he had a point to prove, that he deserves to play more,” SIU coach Chris Lowery said.
Stutz, out with a strained rhomboid muscle, could return for Wednesday’s game against Evansville. So Orukpe’s role will continue to play out in relief. Whenever called upon, he can draw upon Saturday’s experience.
“It means a great deal to me,” he said. “It gets me more comfortable in games and reading situations. It’s different from playing in practice.”
As in practices, Orukpe, a 7-footer from Nigeria, influenced the game primarily through defense. He blocked two shots and grabbed five rebounds in 14 first-half minutes, helping the Shockers put the game away with a 39-16 halftime lead.
SIU made 7 of 22 shots in the first half and its inability to score ruined plans to patiently attack WSU’s defense. His steal led to a three-pointer by David Kyles for a 9-4 lead. Soon after, he forced SIU’s Dantiel Daniels to travel. The Salukis showed little interest in probing the lane for shots against the Shockers, in part because of Orukpe’s discouraging presence. In the first half, the Salukis took five shots in the lane and missed three.
“Whenever they get to our rim, it just irritates me,” he said. “I know that’s something I can do for my team.”
Orukpe’s solid minutes stabilized the Shockers. Stutz watched from the bench. Hall picked up two fouls in the game’s first two minutes, bringing in Orukpe.
“Ehimen stepped up,” WSU guard Joe Ragland said. “He just needed the time. He showed people he can be a factor when he’s needed.”
Orukpe helped with the offense, as well. He scored four of WSU’s first six points, two on a dunk off an assist from Toure Murry. He gave Kyles a perfect bounce pass on a backdoor play that resulted in a basket and free throw late in the first half.
While his offensive chances are limited, he is making the most of them in recent games. Orukpe is 5 for 5 from the field in WSU’s past four games.
“I’m getting more comfortable,” he said. “I was here at 1 a.m. (Saturday morning), just by myself in the gym, working on my hook shots and free throws, playing music and getting my mind right.”
WSU also received an encouraging performance from freshman forward Jake White, who posted season highs in points (10), rebounds (eight) and minutes (17). He grabbed three offensive rebounds and is showing more strength and aggressiveness on the backboards in recent games.
“That’s how they get better, getting in games when the game is on the line and producing,” WSU coach Gregg Marshall said.
