Wichita State women’s basketball did this for the first time since 2013 in 3-0 start
For the first time since December 2013, the Wichita State women’s basketball team won back-to-back road games in non-conference play capped by Monday night’s 76-61 win at Denver.
In her fifth season at the helm, coach Keitha Adams has the Shockers off to a 3-0 start following a road trip sweep that began with a 57-48 win at Wyoming, a team that played in the NCAA Tournament last season and returned the bulk of its production.
Winning on the road during the months of November and December has been nearly non-existent for WSU in its non-conference slate, as the Shockers were 2-17 in road non-conference games from 2014-20.
Adams is encouraged by the team’s strong start on the road, where they will try to make it three in a row this Saturday at Northern Iowa.
“We just battled and we played with passion,” Adams said in a phone interview. “We’re playing hard and when you’re passionate like we are, then a lot of good things happen for you.”
Much like their male counterparts, the WSU women have not shot well so far this season, but have found other ways to win games.
Free-throw shooting has been key for the Shockers in their back-to-back road games, as they made 6 of 8 from the foul line at Wyoming and 16 of 17 free throws at Denver on Monday.
Despite shooting just 41.4% at Denver, WSU managed to run away for a double-digit victory because it crushed Denver, 47-25, in the rebounding battle, which included 23 offensive rebounds that the Shockers turned into a 26-7 advantage in second-chance points.
WSU had five scorers in double-figures at Denver, as junior center Trajata Colbert finished with the season’s first double-double with 17 points, 13 rebounds, two blocks and one steal. Mariah McCully scored 13 points, while Jane Asinde added 12 points and six rebounds off the bench, while Asia Strong (10 points, eight rebounds) and D.J. McCarty (11 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals) were also key.
“I think we found a really nice inside-outside balance,” Adams said. “We had five players in double-figures and it was a true team win. We got a lot of nice performances from a lot of different players who stepped up when we needed them.”
Adams said the experience of going on the road and winning early in the season has brought the team even closer together.
“They’re having fun with one another,” Adams said. “After the game, I’m walking down the hallway and I can hear them in the locker room from a long ways away. They’re just in there having fun and going nuts. It’s fun to be around this group and it’s fun to watch them. It’s a good feeling because this group has got some good chemistry and a great vibe.”
This story was originally published November 16, 2021 at 10:16 AM.
.jpg)