Wichita ? The Wichita State Shockers received a jubilant welcome late Saturday as they returned home from their 80-73 victory over Tennessee in the second round of the NCAA Washington Regional.

“This is Shocker country, baby!” one fan yelled.

WSU’s victory over the second-seeded Volunteers marked the Shockers’ first trip to the round of 16 since reaching a regional final 25 years ago.

Hundreds of people burst into cheers as the team came down the ramp at Mid-Continent Airport after their flight from Greensboro, N.C.

“Turgeon! Turgeon! Turgeon!” the crowd chanted as coach Mark Turgeon approached.

The crowd packed the walkway, decked in yellow and black and grinning, laughing, jumping up and down and occasionally letting out a scream a good hour before the plane touched down.