Wichita State ends losing streak with 68-53 win at Saint Louis (+video)

It all looks so easy with the right guy running the team.

Guard Fred VanVleet returned and so did Wichita State’s offense. The open three-pointer is back. Dunks are a thing again. Remember the fast break? Hello. And don’t forget the VanVleet favorite, the pick and roll.

The Shockers stopped a three-game losing streak with a 68-53 win over Saint Louis on Saturday night at Chaifetz Arena. They made a season-high 48.1 percent of their shots and exited the locker room with smiles of relief and a confidence that their season is back on track.

“It’s amazing to see how he can carve a defense up, not even going full-speed,” WSU forward Zach Brown said.

“He’s just so poised,” WSU center Shaq Morris. “He makes all of us better. I was very excited to have our leader back. It’s hard without him.”

Brown and Morris appeared to miss VanVleet’s command of the offense and calm leadership more than most as they struggled through WSU’s three-game slide. On Saturday, Morris feasted on VanVleet passes for dunks and layups on his way to 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting. Brown scored a career-high 14 points on 4-of-6 shooting.

“Of everything I do, I take the most pride in that,” VanVleet said. “I want to make it easier for the other guys, get them some easy opportunities and that way they can let their talents show.”

VanVleet, bothered by a strained left hamstring, played for the first time since Nov. 17, when he limped through 30 minutes at Tulsa. He scored 11 points and handed out seven assists.

“Having a healthy Fred VanVleet makes quite a difference,” WSU coach Gregg Marshall said. “There’s a sense of relief when you see him out there. He just spoon-feeds some of these guys.”

Saint Louis (4-3) lost its third straight game. The Billikens committed 18 turnovers, leading to 25 Shockers points.

Ron Baker also scored 14 points for WSU. Miles Reynolds scored 14 for Saint Louis, 13 in the first half. Saint Louis’ other starters combined to score nine points.

In 0-3 trip to Florida — against stronger competition — WSU didn’t shoot better than 36 percent. On Saturday, the Shockers rested above 50 percent until a garbage-time drought lowered their accuracy.

VanVleet ran the pick and roll to get Morris a dunk. He drove into the lane and found Brown for an open three-pointer in the corner. He pushed the ball on fast breaks. He made a three to beat the shot-clock buzzer.

The Shockers ended the first half on a 6-0 run to take a 32-25 lead. They started the second half on a 10-1 run to lead 42-26 and force a Billikens timeout. Saint Louis missed its lone shot in the half’s first 3:50 and committed four turnovers.

“I've never seen anything good happen with a turnover,” Saint Louis coach Jim Crews said. “The ball-handler has the responsibility, period, but also guys have to be able to help alleviate some pressure.”

WSU led 59-41 after making 10 of their first 17 shots and all six free throws in the second half. The Billikens, meanwhile, committed seven turnovers to help WSU’s offense.

VanVleet’s two fouls limited his time to five minutes in the first. With or without him, the Shockers put together better stretches on offense. They made 13 of 28 shots and pushed the ball on breaks several times.

WSU built a 22-12 lead with Rauno Nurger scoring six points during an 11-4 run. Guard John Robert Simon connected with him twice for layups and for a dunk. Simon’s three, off a fast-break pass from Baker, gave WSU a 22-12 lead.

WSU’s offense stalled after it took a 26-18 lead. The Billikens scored on five straight possessions to cut the lead to 26-22. A three by Austin Gillman made it 26-25 before the Shockers ended the half on a 6-0 run, capped by Rashard Kelly’s tip at the buzzer.

Saint Louis committed 10 turnovers, leading to 10 Shocker points. Reynolds scored 13 points, making 3 of 6 shots and all six of his free throws.

This story was originally published December 5, 2015 at 10:11 PM with the headline "Wichita State ends losing streak with 68-53 win at Saint Louis (+video)."