Shocker report: WSU 83, Utah State 76

Notes from Saturday's game against Utah State.

Good impression

Wichita State's David Kyles did most of his damage by making six three-pointers.

Lost in that barrage of baskets was a nice piece of passing that helped the Shockers build a 21-point halftime lead. With WSU up 26-20, Kyles faked his defender in the air. He declined to take another three, instead finding Joe Ragland in the corner. Ragland's basket gave WSU a 29-20 lead.

That brand of ball movement impressed Utah State coach Stew Morrill. The Shockers finished with 16 assists.

"One thing we need to learn from Wichita State is their ability to make the extra pass," Morrill said. "They are a really good passing team. That's been our strength through the years, passing and making the extra pass. We're not there yet."

Visit from the past

Former Shocker Mohamed Sharif (formerly Kelly Pete) spoke to the team after the game. Sharif, known as a tough defender, would fit in with the current Shockers.

"He was saying that we've got all the intangibles to make it to where we want to go," WSU senior Toure Murry said.

Sharif, who played at East High, lives in Santa Fe, N.M. He earned All-Missouri Valley Conference honors in 1965, helping the Shockers to the Final Four.

Dave Stallworth also came to Saturday's game. He is one of five Shockers to have their number retired. Health concerns often keep Stallworth, who lives in Wichita, from attending games as regularly as he once did.

Appreciation for the Aggies

WSU representatives presented Utah State with a bronze plaque during halftime to commemorate the school's "compassionate response" after the 1970 Shocker football plane crash.

Former WSU football players John Yeros, Ed Plopa and Rick Dvorak were among the people present to present the gift. The plaque will be displayed at Utah State's stadium.

The WSU pep band played the Utah State alma mater and several fans held signs thanking the school.

"Upon their arrival, they were shown incredible kindess and compassion from Utah State," the plaque reads. "These universities are forever bound by what they shared that day."

Several Utah State officials attended, including athletic director Scott Barnes and former quarterback Tony Adams.

Worth noting

WSU forward Carl Hall scored 11 points, his fourth straight game with 11 or more. Marshall said Hall is playing while sick and wouldn't practice in his condition.... Utah State hadn't allowed 83 or more points in a regulation game since an 84-71 loss at Nevada in 2009. This season, Utah State had allowed only one opponent to score more than 70 points.... Utah State scored a season-high 76 points. Its 20 points in the first half are its fewest since Marquette held it to 18 in the 2009 NCAA Tournament.... Former Hutchinson Community College coach Tim Duryea, from Medicine Lodge, is in his 11th season as a Utah State assistant.... Utah State leads the series 6-5. WSU is 4-2 against the Aggies in Wichita.

This story was originally published December 10, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Shocker report: WSU 83, Utah State 76."