WICHITA, Kan. — Wichita State showed grit and resilience, rallying from a double-digit halftime deficit, but the comeback fell just short as the Shockers dropped their fifth straight, 60-55, to Cal State Bakersfield Saturday afternoon inside Charles Koch Arena.
After trailing 42-28 at the break, the Shockers stormed back with a commanding third quarter, outscoring the Roadrunners 15-5 and trimming the gap to just three heading into the final period. Wichita State (1-5) held the Roadrunners (2-4) to just 13.3 percent shooting in the frame, using defensive stops and timely free throws to ignite the run.
Abby Cater led the Shockers with 11 points, adding four assists and six steals while going a perfect 5-for-5 at the free throw line. Kyleigh Ortiz chipped in seven points, including a key three in the first half, and Maimouna Sissoko added five points and a team-high seven rebounds off the bench. Diamond Richardson posted six points and three steals in her first Shocker start, while Jaila Harding added eight points…