Boxscore

WICHITA, Kan. -- The previous two Evansville-Wichita State games at Koch Arena came down to the final seconds.  Unfortunately, Wednesday's Missouri Valley Conference opener was decided much earlier.

The Shockers (10-2, 1-0) used their speed and defense to build leads of 15-2 and 32-13 in the first half, and go on to beat the Purple Aces (6-5, 0-1) 91-57 in front of a sell-out crowd of 10,506.  It was the seventh straight homecourt victory this season for the Shockers, the pre-season favorite to win the Missouri Valley Conference.  Wichita State's only two losses have come to nationally ranked Connecticut and San Diego State.

Sophomore Ned Cox came off the bench to score seven points in the first half for Evansville, and help cut Wichita's halftime lead to 38-25.  The Aces made their strongest run early in the second half, cutting the deficit to nine at 44-35 with 15:25 to go on a basket by Denver Holmes following a pair of three-pointers from Colt Ryan and a basket from Pieter van Tongeren.  But the Shockers quickly put an end to Evansville's comeback hopes, outscoring the Aces 17-5 to go up by 21 at 61-40 with 10 minutes to go.  The Aces couldn't get closer than 19 the rest of the way.

Ryan led the Aces with 18 points and Cox added 11.  Five Shockers reached double figures, led by 16 from reserve guard Ben Smith.

The Aces return to Roberts Stadium Saturday night for their first MVC home game, against Indiana State at 7:05.