Wichita State University's Demetric Williams (center). (Jaime Green/Wichita Eagle/MCT)

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Cleanthony Early scored 16 points to lead Wichita State to a 66-41 win over Northern Iowa on Sunday in the Missouri Valley Conference opener for both teams.

Early was 6 of 11 from the field.

Malcolm Armstead had 14 points, and Demetric Williams and Tekele Cotton had 12 points apiece. Jake White had eight rebounds for the Shockers (12-1).

Wichita State led 30-18 at halftime. Wichita State shot 46 percent from the field for the game, while Northern Iowa shot 32.6 percent. Wichita State also led Northern Iowa in rebounds 40-22.

Jake Koch led the Panthers (7-6) with seven points. Austin Pehl had four rebounds.

Anthony James – nearing 1,000 career points – finished two of seven shooting for five points and remains shy of the milestone.