LOS ANGELES — Wichita State isn’t used to being a favorite in the NCAA Tournament, but assuming the new role was no problem Thursday at Staples Center.
The ninth-seeded Shockers handily disposed of 13th-seeded La Salle, taking a 72-58 win in the NCAA Tournament West Regional semifinals in the first 9 vs. 13 Sweet Sixteen matchup.
The Shockers, who knocked off No. 1 Gonzaga in the Round of 32, advance to face second-seeded Ohio State on Saturday after the Buckeyes defeated Arizona 73-70 earlier in the day.
“It’s a grind,” said Wichita State’s Malcolm Armstead, who scored a game-high 18 points. “You have to stay focused. Forty minutes away. Looking forward toward a dream come true.”
Unlike their first two upset wins over Pittsburgh and Gonzaga, Wichita State was favored Thursday despite being a No. 9 seed.
Seconds into the game, the Shockers showed why.
The Explorers tied the game at 2 less than a minute in but never drew even again. The Shockers, who scored the next 12 points, simply shut down La Salle’s offense.
Wichita State held the Explorers to 35.7 percent shooting and outrebounded upstart La Salle 47-29. The Shockers grabbed 17 offensive rebounds.
“They were all over the place; they came to play,” Explorers guard Ramon Galloway said. “I can honestly say by far one of the most physical teams we’ve played. I’m looking at the rebounds … it’s just, they were after it. They won every 50-50 ball almost, and they got every rebound that they needed to get.”
Continue Reading: No shocker: Wichita State blasts La Salle (The SportsXchange)
