Next Game: at Indiana State 2/19/2017 | 3 PM CT The Valley on ESPN3 Saluki Radio Network

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Wichita State won its ninth-straight game, beating Southern Illinois, 87-68, on Wednesday night, as it continues to plow through Missouri Valley Conference opponents in its quest for a sixth-straight NCAA Tournament appearance.The Shockers (24-4, 14-1) have taken no prisoners during this winning streak, clubbing foes by an average margin of 22 points. The Salukis (14-14, 7-8) provided more resistance tonight than they did in a 42-point loss at Wichita on Jan. 24.For the third-straight game, Southern Illinois never led in the contest, but after falling behind by double-digits early, the Salukis trimmed the deficit to 37-33 at halftime. They shot just 33 percent from the field in the half, but hung close because they were 10-of-10 from the foul line.In the second half, however, the Shockers delivered a haymaker. They opened the half with a 14-2 run, in which guard Connor Frankamp buried three-straight treys in the span of 63 seconds. Frankamp has been one of the league's hottest shooters of late and made two of his bombs in transition and all of them from well behind the line."The guys did a great job of finding him and know that he can really shoot it," said Wichita State head coach Gregg Marshall. "Once he gets in that rhythm, we just try to find him shots."The Shockers didn't take their foot off the gas until the lead expanded to 69-44 with 10:21 to go in the game."The shock and awe of that really bothered us," SIU head coachacknowledged. "I felt like we made mistakes and they took real big advantage of them."Wichita State, which won its ninth-straight game against the Salukis, finished with five players in double figures. Frankamp led the team with 14 points and made all three of his tries from downtown. Freshman phenom Landry Shamet ran the show at point guard and had 13 points, six assists and one turnover. The front-court trio of Markis McDuffie (13 points), Shaquille Morris (12 points) and Rauno Nurger (12 points) combined to make 16-of-26 shots. As a team Wichita converted 55 percent, including 10-of-16 from 3-point."I thought our kids played hard, but they didn't play smart," Hinson said. "When you play a team that's in the Top 25, you're under a microscope and you don't have a margin for error."Down by 25, the Salukis didn't fold the tent. Led by seniorsand, they ran off nine unanswered points to cut the deficit to 73-57 with 5:51 to go. Rodriguez led the team with 15 points. He was 4-of-11 from the field but made 7-of-8 from the free throw line. After encouraging his 5-foot-10 senior point guard to use more discretion when attacking the paint, Hinson said he's changed course again."I finally went to him and just said — forget it — do what you do best, but you've got to come out of there either getting fouled or you've got to get a basket," Hinson explained. "I thought tonight he played pretty good."The Salukis were out-rebounded 44-27, but they did have an advantage at the free throw line, where they converted 21-of-24.O'Brien continued his strong play with 14 points and eight rebounds. His teammate in the paint —— added 10 points, seven boards and four blocks. Southern's shooting woes continued, however, as it converted 37 percent from the field and just 1-of-13 from 3-point range. For the season, the Salukis dipped below 30 percent from long range in conference games."I keep saying that I believe in these guys' shooting, and I do," Hinson said. "I'm going to continue to say that until this season is over or until I die. I hope the season is over before I die."Wichita State remained locked in a tie for first place with Illinois State, which also won tonight. Some bracket experts say the Shockers need to win out to receive consideration for an at-large. Ironically, the Salukis were the last MVC team to advance to six-consecutive NCAA Tournaments, accomplishing the feat from 2002-07. The only other program to accomplish to do likewise in league history was Cincinnati (1958-63)."As the dean of this league, I think it's important for me to take up for our conference," Hinson said. "I think we have two teams that legitimately belong in the NCAA Tournament. I think when we don't start fighting for our teams in our own league, then we make mistakes."With three games remaining, the Salukis are tied for fourth place with Loyola. They trail third-place Northern Iowa by one game and lead sixth-place Missouri State by one game."We were picked fifth, and we have a chance to finish third, and we have a chance to finish fourth — better than what you guys thought," Hinson said.