Good morning, Shocker Nation! Wichita State snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 54-44 victory over FAU Wednesday evening in Charles Koch Arena on National Girls and Women in Sports Day (Go to our X page for the many NGWSD tributes).
The Shockers (8-16, 2-9 AAC) won their third-straight matchup with the Owls (10-13, 2-9 AAC), recording their first conference win since their Jan. 4 win at UAB. Redshirt-junior forward Jayla Murray led the Shockers in scoring for the fourth-straight game and 10th time this season with 18 points, shooting 8-for-16 from the field.
🗣 "We've been through a turbulent time, but it's all about how you fight through it. It's a testament to the resilience of our team.” - Terry Nooner, head coach
🏀 : FULL COURT PRESS
What else are we mixing into today’s edition of the Shocker Brew? Find out below!
🥎 Shockers softball season kicks off TODAY!
🎾 Men’s and Women’s Tennis previews for today
🌾 And much, much more!
🌾 ONE BIG THING
No Mo F.O.M.O. Do not miss out on this opportunity! Enter here.
Sometimes, there’s no way around this section being “Two Big Things”! 👇🏼
📈 STOCK UP
🔼 “Parr” For the Course. KP Parr didn't block a shot, and she recorded one steal. Her value on defense came from her constant, frustrating presence to pester the opposition on Wednesday. Parr uses her quickness to shut off lanes. She also uses her leverage to make dribblers unsteady. She picks up some clues in scouting reports but does most of her observation during the game.
Wichita State defeated FAU 55-44 at Koch Arena on Wednesday, largely thanks to a shutdown second half.
"Defense wins," coach Terry Nooner said.
🔼 Hard-Hitting Softball News. The Wichita State softball team—which was was picked to win the AAC in the Preseason Coaches Poll—opens the 2025 campaign and Year 14 of the Kristi Bredbenner era in the desert at the GCU Kickoff Classic. The Shockers will face two first-time opponents in Colgate and Grand Canyon, while they are 0-1 all time vs. Montana and 2-6 vs. Northern Illinois. Here’s the key info:
Feb. 7: vs. Northern Illinois (3:30 PM CT) | at Grand Canyon (8:30 PM CT) - ESPN+
Feb. 8: vs. Colgate (1:00 PM CT) | vs. Montana (3:30 PM CT)
Feb. 9: vs. Colgate (10:00 AM CT)
🔼 Bowling Over the Competition. The Wichita State women's bowling team remains ranked #7 in the latest National Tenpin Coaches Association poll. The Shockers were ranked #17 in the NTCA preseason poll in October and moved up to #7 in December.
Wichita State is 43-20 through five NCAA competitions, including a victory at last week's Columbia 300 Saints Invite in St. Louis, Missouri. The Shockers have gone 21-4 in the spring semester, including 10 wins over ranked opponents, and are ranked #7 in the NTCA's Power Index Rating.
🔼 Scout’s Honor. Former Wichita State baseball player (1996-98) Sean Johnson is assistant general manager of the Minnesota Twins after a promotion in January. In the latest Roundhouse Podcast, they talk about why he loves working for the Twins, the importance of curiosity in scouting and players to watch as the Twins open spring training.
👂🏼 : LISTEN HERE
🔼 The Ball’s in Their Court. The Shockers men’s tennis team enters today’s home match against Texas Tech (3-3) at 11 a.m. CT at 2-3 on the year after a close loss at Arkansas on Sunday. WSU is 2-0 in home matches this season.
🎾 : SCOUTING REPORT
🔼 In Sweeping Fashion. The Wichita State women's tennis team earned a clean sweep of the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles on Wednesday afternoon at Wichita Country Club. Wichita State now has its first win streak of the year and is now 3-4 overall. Oral Roberts dropped to 1-6 with the defeat.
🎾 : HOW IT HAPPENED
👀 : SCOUTING REPORT/PREVIEW FOR TODAY’S HOME MATCH VS. KENTUCKY (5 p.m. CT)
🔼 Enter Mighty Mouse. Jodie Epperson drives a 2021 Mustang GT. It is yellow, her favorite color, and a tribute to a popular movie series based on driving at high speed.
"'Fast and Furious," she said.
"When she turns it on in the morning, it shakes the whole house," said roommate Sami Hood. "It's so funny, because she's so small and so quiet, and then you see her driving that car."
Epperson's reputation is similar on the softball field. She is 5-foot-3, yet speedy and possessing surprising pop with the bat. She is known as "Mighty Mouse" around Wilkins Stadium.
"‘Mighty Mouse' is perfect," Hood said. "She has a lot of power, and her hand-eye coordination is super good."
🥎 : READ RH: “MIGHTY MOUSE” IN THE OUTFIELD
🤔 SHOCKER TRIVIA
Huskies History. With today’s Shockers Softball opener vs. Northern Illinois, today’s trivia asks: What was the outcome when the two teams last played one another in the 2014 Shocker Softball Classic?
Think you got it? Scroll down to see if you know your stuff!
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📆 LOOKING AHEAD
*All times CST
Friday, Feb. 7
🎳 Women’s Bowling @ Flyer Classic
👟 Track & Field @ Steve Miller Invitational
🎾 Men’s Tennis vs. Texas Tech @ 1 p.m. | Live Stats
🥎 Softball vs. Northern Illinois @ GCU Kickoff Classic @ 3:30 p.m. | Live Stats
🎾 Women’s Tennis vs. Kentucky @ 5 p.m. | Live Stats
🥎 Softball vs. Grand Canyon @ GCU Kickoff Classic @ 8:30 p.m. | Live Stats
Saturday, Feb. 8
🎳 Women’s Bowling @ Flyer Classic
🥎 Softball vs. Colgate @ GCU Kickoff Classic @ 1 p.m. | Live Stats
🏀 Women’s Basketball vs. UTSA @ 1 p.m. | Live Audio | Live Stats | Tickets
🥎 Softball vs. Montana @ GCU Kickoff Classic @ 3:30 p.m. | Live Stats
Sunday, Feb. 9
🎳 Women’s Bowling @ Flyer Classic
🥎 Softball vs. Colgate @ GCU Kickoff Classic @ 10 a.m. | Live Stats
🏀 Men’s Basketball @ South Florida @ 1 p.m. KEYN 103.7 FM | Live Audio | Live Stats
🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER
Answer: Wichita State wrapped up the final day of the 2014 Shocker Softball Classic with an 8-3 win over Northern Illinois!
Melanie Jaegers went a perfect 3-for-3 for the Shockers with three RBIs, while Paige Luellen went 3-for-4 from the plate and Cacy Williams recorded three hits in four at-bats, including two RBIs.
🌾 Have a great weekend, Shocker Nation!
