LA (AP) a Wichita State is headed to the Final Four, and these Shockers must be no surprise to anybody. Maybe not following the way they kept off great Ohio State in the West Regional closing. Points were scored 14 by malcolm Armstead, Fred Van Vleet moved in a large basket with 1 moment left, and ninth-seeded Wichita State received its first trip to the Ultimate Four since 1965 with a victory over Ohio State on Saturday. Van Vleet scored 12 points while the Shockers (30-8) followed up last week's win over top-ranked Gonzaga with a triumph over the second-seeded Buckeyes (29-8), whose 11-game winning streak ended one game short of their second straight Final Four. Wichita State roared to a lead with 11 minutes to perform after Ohio State played an awful first half, but LaQuinton Ross won 15 of his 19 points after halftime, leading a ferocious move to within three points in the final minutes. But after Tekele Cotton hit a 3-pointer with 2:20 left, VanVleet scored on an attempt that bounced all around the edge before losing. Ralph Baker and Cotton struck last-minute free throws to secure the next Final Four journey in Wichita State's history. Wichita State is merely the fifth staff seeded ninth or better to achieve the Ultimate Four because seeding began in 1979, but the second in 3 years following 11th-seeded VCU's unlikely run in 2011. The Shockers are also the kings of Kansas, reaching the national semifinals following the effective Jayhawks and Kansas State both transpired. Deshaun Thomas scored 21 points after lacking eight of his first 12 shots for the Buckeyes, who made only 24 percent of the first-half shots. Points were scored nine by aaron Craft on 2-for-12 shooting for the Buckeyes, who made a hole too deep to escape making use of their second-half rally. But after fourteen days of upsets in the open West bracket, underdog Wichita State was a suitable choice to reduce Staples Center's nets. The Shockers' well-balanced roster maintained designed that huge cause with the same consummate group play that they've shown throughout the contest. Two sections packed with cheering Shockers fans provided all of the encouragement required for the Missouri Valley Conference tournament that wasn't won by a team and was considered to be a team for an NCAA cabin. Today, Wichita State could be the MVC's first Final Four group since Larry Bird led Indiana State to the title game in 1979. Yet another large awaits the Shockers in Atlanta next weekend: They'll face the success of Sunday's Midwest Regional closing between Duke and Louisville.
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