WICHITA (AP) — Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall would prefer his best big men dominate inside.
But when senior posts Darral Willis, Shaquille Morris and Rauno Nurger combined for four 3-pointers in the first 7 minutes of Friday night’s opener against Missouri-Kansas City.
Marshall was not complaining.
“They make them in practice, so I guess it’s good,” Marshall said. “It certainly opens the floor, and we were getting great looks.”
The seventh-ranked Shockers took full advantage, pummeling Missouri-Kansas City 109-57 on 60.9 percent shooting.
Willis had a game-high 19 points. Landry Shamet scored 17 points, Morris had 16 and Conner Frankamp added 11 to give the Shockers (1-0) four starters in double figures.
Wichita State reserves Samaje Haynes-Jones and Nurger each scored 11 points.
Isaiah Ross led Missouri-Kansas City (0-1) with 12 points. Broderick Robinson scored 11 points, and Aleer Leek added 10 for the Kangaroos.
The Shockers were 13 of 23 from the 3-point line, making six of their first seven. Wichita State outrebounded UMKC 51-26 and had 11 blocked shots.
The biggest news for Wichita State might have been the health of Shamet, a preseason All-American Athletic Conference selection. Shamet had offseason surgery for a stress fracture in his right foot, missing practice time and an exhibition. Shamet looked completely recovered while playing 17 minutes.
“When I injured my foot, I wasn’t sure if I would be back in time for Maui,” Shamet said, referring to the Maui Invitational that starts Nov. 20. “So it just felt good to be back already and playing well.”
Missouri-Kansas City finished 18 of 65 from the field.
Wichita State led 62-23 at halftime on 21-of-34 shooting. The Shockers outrebounded the Kangaroos 27-9 in the first half.
UP NEXT
Wichita State: The Shockers host College of Charleston on Monday night, their final tuneup before the Maui Invitational.