After giving up a 'layup drill' to Southern Illinois in the first half, Wichita State picked up their second half defense.

"We mixed up our defenses a little better, tried to take them out of rhythm," head coach Greg Marshall said. "They got in great rhythm to start the game. They started the big lineup and pounded it in. The second half we just mixed up our defenses a little more."

"They really struggle with their point guard play," said the Shockers' Toure' Murry. "We switched defenses and went to a zone and really caused some havoc."

Southern Illinois had a 40-26 lead over Wichita State with 1:46 remaining in the second half, but were out scored 48-24 over the remaining 21+ minutes of their 74-64 loss.

"Our guards played great," said SIU coach Chris Lowery. "They showed up. We took them out of everything they tried to do, and then it flip-flopped. They hit a couple of shots and we became nervous for some reason and we allowed that press to really bother us."

The Shockers picked up their defense and also began to press down the stretch.

"Their press changed it," Lowery said. "It was something we worked on for two days. They got into it and we turned it over two straight times and the third time we get Carlton a foul. Seck was the only guy we had that played with no fear attacking their press."

Southern Illinois guards have historically been tenacious on defense and efficient on offense.

This is what head coach Chris Lowery is attempting to accomplish with his 10-10 team.

"That's the one thing that's always defined us," Lowery said. "Right now, our guard play is not consistent. When our guards are consistent, that's when we play well."

SIU ranks ninth in the MVC with an 0.8 assist-to-turnover ratio in conference games.