Wichita ? Free State High boys basketball coach Jack Schreiner didn’t blame Saturday’s loss on a technical foul.

There were plenty of reasons why the Firebirds fell, 73-63, to Wichita Southeast, including the Golden Buffaloes’ 22 offensive rebounds and the fact that FSHS senior and Arizona State signee Keith Wooden scored just two points in a foul-plagued second half.

But a technical foul on FSHS senior Bijai Jones with 6:02 left and the game’s next two minutes turned a 21¼2-hour trip into turmoil.

Down 50-49, Free State’s Cameron Karlin seemed to block Neil Faust’s shot in the lane, but was whistled for a foul. Jones said something — a response apparently not directed to an official. Nonetheless, his frustration earned a T.

“In no way did the officials cost us that game,” Schreiner said. “Wichita Southeast beat us. It’s as simple as that.”

During the ensuing two minutes, Southeast (11-3) went on a 6-0 run, Wooden and Jones fouled out and Free State (9-5) lost its focus.

“You know what,” Schreiner said, “this team is supposed to be so good. Until we beat somebody, we’re not a very good basketball team.”

Southeast seniors Dupree Lucas and Faust didn’t make things easy for the Firebirds. The duo dropped 48 points and snagged 21 rebounds Saturday in front of a crowd that included Wichita State coach Mark Turgeon, a former Kansas University men’s basketball assistant under Roy Williams.

The Firebirds showed signs Saturday they were ready to make a statement. Wooden owned the post the first 16 minutes, scoring 11 points, grabbing six rebounds and forcing Faust out of the entire second quarter with two fouls. Add seven points from junior Dain Dillingham, and the Firebirds turned a 14-12 first-quarter deficit into a 28-26 halftime advantage.

Then came the third quarter, when Lucas put Southeast back in front with a drive and free throw with 14 seconds left.

Wooden was called for a charge, his fourth foul, 16 seconds into the final quarter, and Lucas responded with a jump shot for a 47-44 lead. Jones scored on two straight back-door cuts and hit a free throw to cut the score to 50-49 before his technical foul.

Wichita Southeast 55, Free State 42

When Jamie Stanclift was in the game, Free State was pretty successful. The sophomore forward scored a game-high 17 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, but fouls kept her on the bench for most of the second and third quarters. But Southeast (5-9), built a 30-21 halftime lead that Free State couldn’t overcome. Junior Emilie Humbarger added 11 points for the Firebirds (3-10).