Men's Basketball

No. 19 Wichita State Snaps No. 5 Cincinnati's Home Court Winning Streak, Tightens American Standings with 76-72 Win

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. -- Landry Shamet scored 19 points, and No. 19 Wichita State ended the nation's longest home-court winning streak, beating No. 5 Cincinnati 76-72 on Sunday to leave the American Athletic Conference race wide-open.

The Shockers (21-5, 11-3 American) beat a Top 5 team on the road for the first time since 1964. They led most of the way, building an 11-point lead midway through the second half and holding on. Shaquille Morris' dunk with 5 seconds left finished it off.

The Bearcats (23-4, 12-2 American) had their 39-game home-court winning streak snapped. Cincinnati hasn't beaten a ranked team all season, falling to 0-3 with losses to Xavier and Florida.

Cincinnati and Wichita State were expected to contend for the title in the Shockers' first season in the AAC. Wichita State gave itself a chance with a solid all-around game led by its point guard. Shamut had 16 points in the first half, when the Shockers shredded the nation's second-ranked defense to take control.

Wichita State closes the regular season by hosting Cincinnati on March 4. Houston (21-5, 11-3) also is in the running for the league title after beating Temple on Sunday.

The Shockers hit seven of eight shots during a 17-3 run that gave them a 34-23 lead. Cincinnati responded by turning up its full-court defense, forcing three quick turnovers, and going on a run that cut the deficit to 42-40 at halftime.

The Shockers showed a little defense of their own, forcing five turnovers while rebuilding their lead to 59-48 with 11 minutes left, matching its biggest of the game. Cincinnati closed to 72-70 on Trevon Scott's dunk with 13 seconds left, but the Shockers scored on a pair of full-court inbound passes, the last to Morris that provided the final margin.