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Couisnard helps No. 22 Wichita State crush UMKC

Nov 30, 2006 - 3:17 AM WICHITA, Kansas (Ticker) -- Wichita State provided it can turn up the pressure at anytime.

P.J. Couisnard scored 16 points and Sean Ogirri chipped in 15 as the 22nd-ranked Shockers used a huge second-half burst to coast to an 85-55 victory over Missouri-Kansas City.

Wichita State was coming off its second straight win against a Final Four opponent from last season with a 57-53 triumph over 12th-ranked Louisiana State on Saturday. It defeated George Mason just a week earlier.

The Shockers (5-0) are off to their best start since winning nine consecutive games to begin the 2004-05 campaign. They were able to reach the Regional Semifinals in last season's NCAA Tournament.

After a sluggish opening 20 minutes that forced them to hold a slim 27-24 edge at intermission, the Shockers opened things up with an aggressive full-court press. Behind a 17-4 surge over the first 4 1/2 minutes after halftime, Wichita State pushed its lead to 44-28.

Karon Bradley scored on an easy layup and later drained a 3-pointer from the right corner with 13:46 remaining as Wichita State extended its advantage to 53-33, rolling thereafter.

In the second half, the Shockers shot 66 percent (20-of-30) from the floor and outscored the Kangaroos, 58-31.

Phillip Thomasson had 12 points and 10 rebounds and Ryan Martin scored 10 for the Shockers, who shot 54 percent (30-of-55) overall and improved to 4-1 all-time in the series.

Wichita State scored 21 points - 14 in the second half - off 13 turnovers and held a 30-10 advantage in points in the paint.

Quinton Day, who entered just four points shy of reaching 1,000 career points, finished with 19 points for Missouri-Kansas City (3-4), which shot 38 percent (20-of-52).