Joseph D'Amico

Shockers and Cougars square off in NIT semifinals by the Sports Network

New York, NY (Sports Network) – The fourth-seeded Wichita State Shockers and the second-seeded Washington State Cougars meet at Madison Square Garden tonight in an NIT semifinal matchup.

The winner will advance to face either Alabama or Colorado in Thursday’s championship game.

Wichita State, making its second straight NIT appearance, reached the semis by virtue of a 76-49 victory over fifth-seeded Nebraska, a 79-76 overtime victory over top-seeded Virginia Tech and, most recently, an 82-75 quarterfinal victory over sixth-seeded College of Charleston. The Shockers, who hail from the Missouri Valley Conference, are now 27-8 on the year, tying the program’s 1954 squad for most wins in a season. They are 6-11 all-time in NIT play.

Washington State, appearing in its second NIT in three years, has posted successive wins over seventh-seeded Long Beach State (85-74), third-seeded Oklahoma State (74-64), and fourth-seeded Northwestern (69-66), to earn a date with the Shockers. The Cougars, who play their basketball out of the Pac-10 Conference, are now 22-12 on the season and 7-4 all-time in the NIT.

Wichita State and Washington State have met just once previously, with the Shockers earning an 83-64 victory on December 15, 1960.

Wichita State turned in a dominating performance over the College of Charleston to advance to the semis. The Shockers led 37-25 at the half and shot 60.9 percent from the field after the break to run away with the victory. In all, Wichita State shot 54.7 percent from the floor, handed out 20 assists and placed four players in double figures. Gabe Blair led the way with 16 points and eight boards, while J.T. Durley added 14 points, Joe Ragland finished with 12 points and Toure Murry tallied 11 points to go with five assists. On the season, the Shockers employ a balanced offensive attack. Durley, a First Team All-MVC selection, paces the squad in scoring (11.4 ppg), while ranking second in rebounding (5.1 rpg). He is the only Wichita State player to average double figures in scoring. David Kyles and Murry add assistance at 9.6 and 9.3 ppg, respectively, as the Shockers average 72.8 ppg. Kyles, who has knocked down a team-high 74 three-pointers, leads Wichita State to a healthy 7.1 threes per game. The Shockers are fundamentally sound at the other end of the floor, as they post a plus-7.9 rebounding margin and hold teams to 62.3 ppg.

Washington State’s recent victory over Northwestern did not come easy, as the Cougars needed overtime to advance. Klay Thompson was strong down the stretch, scoring 12 of his 17 points after the break, including four of the Cougars’ five points in the extra session. Brock Motum added 13 points on 6-of-9 shooting, while DeAngelo Casto, Reggie Moore and Faisal Aden finished with 11 points apiece. Washington State won behind a strong defensive effort, as it held Northwestern to 37.5 percent shooting, which included a 26.3 percent showing from beyond the arc. Thompson, a First Team All-Pac 10 selection, has been an offensive dynamo this season. He currently paces the squad in scoring (22 ppg) and assist (3.8 apg). Aden adds 12.9 ppg, while Casto, an All- conference Second Teamer, scores 12.1 ppg and pulls down a team-high 6.8 rpg. In all, the Cougars average 73.7 ppg. Casto, who was also named to the Pac-10 All-Defensive Team, guides Washington State to 67.2 ppg allowed.

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