Wichita State pulled off a thrilling 84-79 victory over No. 14 Memphis in a hard-fought battle that went into overtime. Quincy Ballard was the standout player for the Shockers, scoring 19 points with 14 of them coming in the second half and overtime. Bijan Cortes' crucial 3-pointer gave Wichita State the lead in overtime, a lead they never relinquished.
This win marked a significant milestone for Wichita State, as it was their first regular-season victory over a ranked opponent since 2021. The Shockers showcased their depth with five players scoring in double figures, including Corey Washington who recorded a double-double with 18 points and 15 rebounds.
On the other side, Memphis saw their eight-game winning streak come to an end despite Tyrese Hunter's impressive performance with 24 points. Moussa Cisse also had a double-double for the Tigers with 12 points and 14 rebounds.
Wichita State took a narrow 32-28 lead into halftime after a strong finish to the first half, highlighted by an 11-3 run. The game was tied at 71-71 at the end of regulation, with Ronnie DeGray III hitting crucial free throws to force overtime.
In overtime, Wichita State seized control after the Tigers scored the first four points. Cortes' clutch 3-pointer with 1:10 remaining proved to be the turning point for the Shockers.
Key takeaways from the game include Wichita State's effective defense that limited Memphis' top scorer PJ Haggerty to just two points in the first half. The Shockers also dominated the rebound battle, outrebounding the Tigers 54-45.
Memphis struggled with their shooting, going 27-for-75 from the floor. Despite Wichita State shooting just 19% from three-point range as a team, they made crucial shots when it mattered most to secure the win.
Looking ahead, Wichita State will face Florida Atlantic next, while Memphis will have a week off before hosting Florida Atlantic next Sunday.
