The winning formula Wichita State women’s basketball has found in program-best 7-1 start

A stingy defense has propelled the Wichita State women’s basketball team to a 7-1 record early in the season, matching the program’s best start in history.

The Shockers have held all eight opponents to under 38% shooting from the field, including in a 79-61 win over New Orleans this past weekend. WSU’s defensive field goal percentage of 34.7% ranks No. 21 in the country, while the team’s defensive efficiency (0.71 points per possession) ranks No. 52 in the country.

WSU will have a chance for the first 8-1 start in program history on Thursday when the Shockers travel to Saint Louis (3-8) for a 7 p.m. road game that will be streamed on ESPN+.

The formula for defensive success at WSU hasn’t included forcing a lot of turnovers or blocking many shots. Instead, the Shockers contest shots often and almost always finish the possession with a defensive rebound.

WSU has grabbed 75% of available defensive rebounds, which is one of the top rates (No. 32) in the country. A big reason why is the play of 6-foot-1 senior Jane Asinde.

The Uganda native is averaging 8.5 defensive rebounds per game in less than 30 minutes, which is the sixth-best rate (32.3%) for an individual player in the country.

Asinde (11.8 points, 11.8 rebounds) has paired with senior center Trajata Colbert (13.3 points, 8.0 rebounds) to form a formidable frontcourt, while junior guard D.J. McCarty (14.0 points, 3.8 assists) has been the team’s most consistent scoring force and sophomore Shamaryah Duncan (10.6 points) has provided much-needed outside shooting.

The Shockers have five more non-conference games left before American Athletic Conference play begins on Dec. 30 with a home game against Cincinnati. Following two straight road games this week at Saint Louis (Thursday) and at Kansas (Sunday), WSU returns to Koch Arena for its next home game on Dec. 16 at 6 p.m. against Southern.