WICHITA, Fla. — In an exciting college basketball matchup on Thursday evening, Wichita State triumphed over Florida Atlantic with a final score of 75-68. Xavier Bell was a standout for the Shockers, contributing 24 points to the team’s successful effort. He demonstrated notable shooting skills, going 8 for 19 from the field and making 7 of 8 attempts from the free-throw line. Other key players for Wichita State included Bijan Cortes, who added 16 points and dished out seven assists, and Harlond Beverly, who chipped in with 10 points on an efficient 5 of 7 shooting.

The Owls, who faced a setback in this game, were led by Kaleb Glenn, who scored 16 points. Teammates Ken Evans and Tre Carroll also contributed, with both players finishing the game with 11 points. Carroll notably made his mark on defense as well, securing four steals. This loss ended Florida Atlantic’s impressive five-game winning streak, putting a damper on their recent successes.

Wichita State set the tone early with an impressive 15-0 run in the first half, allowing them to establish a commanding lead of 14 points. At halftime, the Shockers were ahead 36-28, with Ronnie DeGray III leading the squad in scoring with nine points. The second half saw Cortes hit a crucial 3-pointer with 6:38 left, giving Wichita State a lead they would not relinquish, finally securing their victory at 58-55.

This victory is significant for Wichita State, helping to improve their overall record to 16-10 and bringing their conference record to 6-7 in the American Athletic Conference. The loss for Florida Atlantic brings their record to 15-11, maintaining an 8-5 standing in the league. The matchup highlighted the competitive nature of collegiate basketball as both teams aimed for a postseason position.