CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) – Ron Baker scored 21 points and Wichita State pulled away from Northern Iowa down the stretch in the Shockers 74-55 win on Wednesday night.

After an 80-76 OT loss to Seton Hall on Dec. 19 dropped Wichita State’s record to 5-5, the Shockers have won eight in row including their first seven in conference play.

Markis McDuffie finished with 15 points and Fred VanVleet added 12 points and six assists for Wichita State (13-5, 7-0 Missouri Valley), which shot 56.5 percent from the field while holding Northern Iowa to 32.8 percent.

The Shockers led just 58-52 with 4:11 to play but closed the game on a 16-3 run highlighted by two VanVleet 3-pointers and a perfect 4 for 4 at the free-throw line for Baker.

Matt Bohannon, Bennett Koch, and Wes Washpun each finished with 14 points for the Panthers (10-10, 2-5).