by TULSA, Okla. — Wichita State built a big lead early then made just enough plays to hang onto it in a 69-65 road win over Tulsa on Tuesday night at the Reynolds Center.
Ricky Council IV and Alterique Gilbert scored 13 points apiece for the Shockers (2-2, 1-0 American Athletic Conference) who led by 17 points late in the first half but were sweating in the final 30 seconds after the host Golden Hurricanes pulled to within two.
Brandon Rachal’s 17 points and 11 rebounds paced Tulsa (1-3, 0-1), which was playing for the first time in 10 days after hitting the pause button last week.
Wichita State improved to 6-4 all-time at the Reynolds Center and defeated Tulsa for the sixth time in seven AAC era meetings.
No fans were allowed in attendance.
Gilbert posted his fourth straight double-figure scoring game to go with four assists and two steals in 32 turnover-free minutes.
It was a breakthrough performance from Council – a 6-6 freshman guard — who narrowly missed a double-double with 13 points and eight rebounds in just 16 minutes of action.
Trey Wade added 11 points and seven rebounds, and Isaiah Poor Bear-Chandler (Oglala Lakota) chipped in a season-high 10 points and five rebounds off the bench.
Junior guard Craig Porter Jr. made a splash in his first extended run. The Vincennes (Ind.) transfer missed the first two games and clocked less than five minutes against Oklahoma State but played in crunch-time at Tulsa, ending with four points, six rebounds and five assists in 25 minutes.
Wichita State committed just nine turnovers and out-rebounded Tulsa 42-37.
Eight different Shockers hit a three in a 10-for-26 performance. WSU shot 41 percent from the field but made just 9-of-17 free throws.
Tulsa shot 41.8 percent from the field but connected on only 8-of-31 three-point tries (.258) and 11-of-21 free throws (.524).
