LOS ANGELES — Wichita State blitzed the La Salle Explorers right out of the gate and advanced to its first Elite Eight in 32 years with a 72-58 win in the NCAA Tournament West Regional Sweet 16 on Thursday night at Staples Center. The Shockers, who knocked off No. 1 Gonzaga in the Round of 32, advance to face Ohio State on Saturday after the Buckeyes defeated Arizona earlier in the day. Unlike their first two upset wins over Pittsburgh and Gonzaga, Wichita State was favored on Thursday despite being a nine-seed. Seconds into the game, they showed why. The Shockers jumped to a 38-22 halftime lead behind a relentless attack and they rarely let up. La Salle fought to keep it close in the second half, cutting the gap to 11 midway through, but Wichita State continued pouring it on. The Shockers held the Explorers to just 36 percent shooting and out-rebounded upstart La Salle, 48-32. Malcolm Armstead led Wichita State with 18 points and six rebounds and…
Continue Reading: Wichita State 72, La Salle 58 (The SportsXchange)
