Wichita State hasn’t lowered its expectations without three injured starters. Now the Missouri Valley Conference knows why.

The Shockers routed Northern Iowa 66-41 on Sunday at Koch Arena in Wichita in the Missouri Vallery Conference opener. Wichita State’s defense blanketed Northern Iowa’s three-point shooters and an efficient offense did the rest in a victory surprising for its ease over an experienced team with a reputation for toughness.

“That was as well as we’ve played for 40 minutes defensively in some time, and that’s the way it’s going to have to be,” Shockers coach Gregg Marshall said.

Wichita State senior Demetric Williams hopes everybody who voted the Shockers fourth in the preseason poll pays attention. And everybody who further dismissed the Shockers, 12-1, because of the injury problems.

“We’re ready to show everybody we’re not fourth in this league,” Williams said.

All nine Shockers players helped bury the Panthers, 7-6, as starters Carl Hall, Ron Baker and Evan Wessel watched from the bench.

Northern Iowa coach Ben Jacobson saw little difference from the team he watched with a full roster and the current edition. The Shockers held the Panthers, who entered the game making 37.1 percent of their three-pointers, to three-of-17 shooting behind the arc.

“Their defense and rebounding haven’t changed with what’s happened with some of the injuries,” Jacobson said.

Cleanthony Early led the Shockers with 16 points, and Malcolm Armstead added 14. Wichita State shot 46 percent from the floor and commited only 10 turnovers.

No Panther reached double figures. Northern Iowa guard Deon Mitchell, the Panthers’ leading scorer at 12.4 points a game, scored only four.