WICHITA, Kan. — The Chicago State women's basketball team (0-1) fell today to the Wichita State Shockers (1-0) in the program's 2021-22 season opener.
"We have to use this to grow up really quickly and lock in on some things," head coach Tiffany Sardin said. "We're still growing and learning about ourselves, and this is the time of the season you learn. We have a tough non-conference schedule for a reason.
"Wichita State is a really good team. I give credit to them for executing."
Wichita State opened the game on a 6-0 run through the first 2:16, forcing a CSU timeout. By the 4:37 mark, the lead had grown to 12-0 on a layup and-one by Wichita State's Mariah McCully. On the next possession, DJ McCarty drilled a three-pointer to make it 15-0.
At the 3:24 mark of the first quarter, Christina Britter swirled in a layup to break the scoring drought and secure the first CSU bucket of the 2021-22 season.
By the end of the first quarter, Wichita State had taken a 25-2 lead behind an efficient 56 percent shooting from the field and seven takeaways.
With 6:22 left in the second quarter, freshman guard Aaliyah Collins sunk a layup to make the score 31-4.
Before halftime, the Cougars pieced together a run, outscoring the Shockers, 7-2 over a two-minute stretch in which Collins, Britter and Allysah Boothe drilled baskets, with Boothe hitting the Cougars' first trey of the season.
Boothe then sunk two free throws before the break, at which the Cougars trailed, 40-15. At halftime, Boothe led CSU with seven points while Britter had put up four points with six rebounds.
In the third quarter, the Shockers outscored the Cougars, 23-9. Jazmine Covington nailed a fadeaway three-point heave at the quarter buzzer in a quarter during which Collins, Janiah Newell and Quentarra Mitchell also scored.
The Cougars then scored 10 points in the fourth quarter, with five coming from Newell on two-of-five shooting from the floor. Wichita State remained in command, however, winning, 78-34.
For Chicago State, Collins led the scoring charge with eight points, also tallying six rebounds and two assists. Boothe and Newell each scored seven, while Covington added six and Britter scored four.
"Aaliyah gave us a sneak peak of what she'll bring to us," Sardin said. "We need more with energy like her."
Britter also led the rebounding charge, pulling down a team-high eight boards. Kyjai Miles also added five rebounds, all offensive, as the Cougars racked up 15 offensive rebounds on the afternoon.
"We had some moments, but we knew this would be a challenge for a lot of us," Sardin said. "I'm proud that our team didn't quit. We'll be ready to perform Saturday against UAB."
CSU also shot 75 percent from the free-throw line, which is a better mark than all but one game from the 2020-21 season.
The Cougars will next travel back to Chicago to make their 2021-22 home debut against UAB at the Jones Convocation Center, with tip-off scheduled for 12 p.m.
Fans can purchase single-game, courtside and season tickets for both Chicago State women's and men's basketball at this link.
About Chicago State
Chicago State University Athletics is comprised of 15 intercollegiate teams involving over 150 student-athletes that compete in basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and volleyball. CSU held memberships in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and NCAA Division II before transitioning to NCAA Division I in 1994. Melvin Bland was the first CSU student-athlete to gain NAIA All-American status in 1974 as a wrestler. Fred Evans became the first black swimmer ever to win a national championship in 1975. CSU's women's basketball team earned a spot in the 2011 Women's Basketball Invitational and CSU's men's basketball team won the 2013 Great West Conference Tournament title and made an appearance in the CollegeInside.com Postseason Tournament (CIT). The Men's Outdoor Track & Field 4x100-Meter Relay team were 2019 Honorable Mention All-Americans and WAC Champions. Their feat marked the first time the Chicago State's men's track & field program was represented at the national meet.
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