TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) — Cleanthony Early scored 19 points, including the game-clinching free throws with 18 seconds left, as Wichita State held on to beat Indiana State 66-62 on Tuesday night.
Malcolm Armstead added 18 points for the Shockers (23-5, 12-4 Missouri Valley), who led 62-55 after Demetric Williams’ free throws with 53 seconds left. But ISU’s RJ Mahurin made a 3-pointer and was fouled, then made the free throw to complete the four-point play.
Williams made two more free throws before Dawon Cummings’ 3-pointer pulled ISU within 64-62. Early’s free throws got the Shockers back to a four-point margin, and Cummings missed a 3-pointer in the closing seconds.
Manny Arop led the Sycamores (16-11, 9-7) with 17 points. Indiana State was trying to sweep its season series with Wichita State for the first time since 2000-01.
Wichita State maintained at least a one-game conference lead over Creighton, which hosted Southern Illinois later Thursday.
