Wichita, Kan. (AP) — Wichita State has become the first Division I men's basketball team in a decade to run the table on its regular-season schedule.
Cleanthony Early scored 19 points and Ron Baker added 13 as the Shockers hammered Missouri State 68-45 to complete a perfect 31-0 regular season. Wichita raced out to a double-digit lead in the opening minutes after rallying from a 19-point deficit to beat Missouri State in overtime earlier this season. Wichita State becomes the first team since St. Joseph's in 2004 to head into a conference tournament unbeaten.
The Shockers are off to the best start since UNLV began 34-0 and lost in the 1991 national title game. They're also off to the best start by a Missouri Valley team since Larry Bird led Indiana State to a 33-0 record before the Sycamores fell to Michigan State in the 1979 title game.