Ballard guides Wichita State to a 84-79 overtime victory against No. 14 Memphis

WICHITA, Kan. — Quincy Ballard made a significant impact during the second half and overtime, scoring 14 of his 19 points, leading Wichita State to a thrilling 84-79 victory over No. 14 Memphis on Sunday.

Bijan Cortes contributed crucially by sinking a three-pointer to grant Wichita State a 78-77 edge with just 1:10 left in overtime, a lead the Shockers maintained until the final buzzer.

With this win, Wichita State improved to 15-10 overall and 5-7 in the American Athletic Conference, marking their fourth consecutive victory and their first win against a ranked team during the regular season since 2021. Five players from Wichita State scored in double digits, with Corey Washington achieving a double-double, finishing with 18 points and 15 rebounds.

For Memphis, who now holds a record of 21-5 and 11-2 in conference play, the loss snapped their impressive eight-game winning streak. Tyrese Hunter was the standout performer for the Tigers, netting 24 points, while Moussa Cisse also posted a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds.

The Shockers entered halftime with a narrow 32-28 advantage, bolstered by an 11-3 run in the game’s final five and a half minutes of the first half.

In a tense finish, Ronnie DeGray III successfully made two free throws, equalizing the score at 71-71 with just 18 seconds to go, thus forcing the game into overtime. The Tigers kicked off the extra period with a quick four points, but the Shockers quickly shifted the momentum in their favor.

Key Observations:

For Wichita State, a pivotal factor in their success was limiting Memphis’ top scorer, PJ Haggerty, to a mere two points during the first half and only 14 in total. They excelled on the boards, out-rebounding the Tigers 54-45.

Conversely, Memphis faced challenges with their shooting, finishing the game with a dismal shooting percentage of 27-for-75 from the field.

Crucial Moment:

Cortes’ three-pointer stands out as a game-changing moment, allowing the Shockers to regain the lead with only 1:10 remaining in overtime, after struggling with his initial two three-point attempts earlier in the game.

Notable Statistic:

Wichita State struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 19% as a team. However, their ability to convert timely shots made a significant difference in their victory.

Looking ahead:

Wichita State is set to face Florida Atlantic on Thursday, while Memphis will take a week off before they welcome Florida Atlantic next Sunday.